Rain brings up veggie prices

Supply and demand: Santha selecting fresh vegetables at a market in Taman Lip Sin, Penang.

PETALING JAYA: Weeks of stormy, wet weather have affected vegetable yields from farms in some states, causing prices of vegetables to increase by as much as 20%.

Traders in Penang and Johor are seeing a drop in supply and this has pushed up prices of leafy greens in the market.

But in other places such as Perak and the Klang Valley, prices are still stable while some selected vegetables have actually come down due to oversupply.

Over in Sarawak, a drought for the past two months had resulted in a hike for several types of vegetables.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetables Whole­salers Association deputy president Chong Tek Keong said during the monsoon season, a price increase was expected as production would be affected.

“Monsoon season is supposed to be during year-end but the weather is not very predictable these days.

Fluctuating prices: Prices of vegetables in Sibu are on an upward trend after the state experienced drought the last two months.

“So if the rain is prolonged, production will be affected because there will be less harvest.

“But right now, heavy rainfalls are just happening for the past two to three days. So it is still early to gauge the situation,” said Chong.

He added that aside from the prices of red chilli, leafy vegetables were still very affordable.

“Normally, leafy vegetables are the first to go up if there is a problem with harvesting, but until today, it’s still below market price,” he said.

Chong said they would try their best to keep prices stable in order not to burden consumers.

“Fluctuations are not in our interest, as there are many members with long-term supply contracts and commitments.

“You can’t afford to raise prices one day and lower them the next, especially if you’re supplying to places like government canteens or retail outlets,” said Chong.