Why veggie prices go up and down (Poll Inside)

To market, to market: Consumers buying vegetables at a pasar malam. – SHAARI CHEMAT / THE STAR

PETALING JAYA: Prices of vegetables fluctuate depending on how much is reaped from farms. Market forces decide too.

“It is normal for prices to increase and decrease in an open economy,” said Fuziah Salleh.

“They are based on demand and supply.

“However, despite the fluctuations, prices of vegetables have generally been stable,” added the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

Fuziah said that consumers should refer to the ministry’s price checker application known as Price Catcher to get the best deals.

“The ministry has more than 2,000 enforcement officers nationwide to check on prices daily,” she said when contacted.

According to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority’s price index, the market price for one kilogramme of tomato fluctuated between RM6 and RM8 between Aug 14 and Aug 19. The prices of mustard greens (sawi) fluctuated between RM4 and RM7.50 during the same period, whereas the prices of cucumber hovered between RM3 and RM5.

Concurring with Fuziah, Malaysia Federation of Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said the prices of vegetables were generally determined based on several factors, including environmental, supply and demand, as well as imports.

“The prices of certain vegetables can fluctuate based on the supply and demand.

“If there is not enough cucumber in the market, the prices go up. But once the stock is available, prices will normalise again,” he said.

The weather plays a huge factor, too, he said. “If the weather is fine and there is a good harvest, prices remain stable.

“But if it rains for a week, the prices will likely increase,” explained Lim.

Data from the Agriculture Department shows that Malaysia is producing more fruits and vegetables, with tomatoes topping the vegetables farmed in the country. These are followed by mustard greens and cucumber.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said it was common for prices of vegetables to rise and fall.

“Consumers are not really complaining about vegetables,” he said.

Subbarow, however, noted that the prices of local fruits such as papaya and banana had increased.

The prices are high nowadays,” he said. “One piece of cut papaya fruit is being sold for RM2 now. It used to be RM1,” he added.

“The price of bananas also went up. It’s RM1 for one banana,” he said.

There is no control over the prices of fruits. Mangosteens were sold for RM6 a kg, but it is now RM10.

“How do you expect consumers to buy local fruits?” Subbarow asked. “Apples are sold for RM1 each,” he said. “Consumers can cut one apple into six pieces, but they can’t do that with bananas.”

He added that there was a trend whereby cut fruits were sold in plastic containers for anywhere between RM2.50 to RM5.

“We don’t see much fruit in the market now,” he said. “Some traders complained that they don’t receive enough from wholesalers.”