CONSUMERS are advised to do price comparisons when patronising upcoming Ramadan bazaars in Johor Baru.
Johor Bumiputra Consumer Association chairman Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed said consumers should shop wisely to get their money’s worth.
He said some Ramadan bazaar food vendors might increase their prices this year.
“Spend prudently when buying food for breaking fast and most importantly, avoid wastage,” Syed Abdullah said.
The fasting month is expected to begin on March 1 or 2.
Nurazlinah Nasiman, who will be selling nasi briyani at Jalan Layang Ramadan Bazaar in Taman Perling, said she had no choice but to increase prices.
“The cost of ingredients have gone up,” she said.
Nurazlinah has been selling nasi briyani at the bazaar for 16 years.
She said her chicken briyani was selling for RM10 last year but the price would go up to RM12 next month.
Her beef briyani will increase to RM15 from RM13, while her mutton briyani offering will cost RM20 from RM16 previously.
She said chicken was now selling at RM8.90 per kg from RM7.80 per kg previously, while mutton, which cost RM28 per kg last year, had gone up to RM32 per kg.
Beef had gone up from RM25 per kg to RM28 per kg, she said.
“Briyani spices also went up from RM29 per kg last year to RM36 per kg.
“A 3kg sack of big onions now costs RM12 from RM10.”
She hopes customers, especially her regulars, will understand that the price increase is inevitable.
Perling Mall Ramadan bazaar vendor Zul Azizi Dazar, who has been operating at the site for four years, has decided to maintain prices this year.
“I increased prices of my turmeric-fried chicken rice and turmeric-fried beef rice last year and the majority of customers would notice if I were to increase them again this year,” he said.
