Prices of some greens up

Daily necessity: Flood damage to some farmlands in Cameron Highlands is one of the causes for the hike in vegetable prices. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: After more than two weeks of floods in many parts of the country, vegetable supplies have taken a hit with prices of some greens going up by more than 40% owing to damaged crops and farmland, in addition to difficulties in distribution.

A check here showed that these price spikes only affect perishables, while prices of other grocery items remain stable.

At Chowrasta and Ayer Itam markets, brinjal, leek and cabbage were among the greens with the highest price hikes, more than 40% compared with three weeks ago.

“In fact, the prices have now stabilised compared with the height of the floods on Dec 18,” said vegetable seller Tan Sin Soon, 60, at Chowrasta Market yesterday.

“Brinjals now sell for about RM12 a kilo compared with RM8, lettuce RM13 from RM8 per kilo and Chinese cabbage at RM6 a kilo compared to RM3.50 a kilo.”

He said that at the height of the floods about three weeks ago, some vegetable prices went up by as high as 70% for a few days because downpours in Cameron Highlands had destroyed crops there.

Tan said wholesalers complained of routes being cut off by floods and lorries not being able to send out vegetables.

At Ayer Itam market, brinjal was selling at RM9 a kilo.

“We expect the prices to come down in the next few weeks,” said vegetable seller Yeoh Lim Poh, 55.

Penang Island Vegetable Wholesalers Association chairman Tan Ban Ben said many plots of farmland in Cameron Highlands and elsewhere that were damaged by heavy rain and small landslides would need to be rebuilt before farmers could restart planting.

“On average, the prices of most vegetables have been increasing.

“We faced a shortage of workers due to the movement control order, and we are now grappling with the floods. It will take some time before things are back to normal,” he said.

Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry Penang director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said periodic checks did not show a major hike in food items as a whole at most markets.

“We have been monitoring the prices since the floods. While there are price hikes on several vegetables, prices overall remain stable.

“Our personnel will visit the markets again to see if there are is a trend of price increases,” he said.