Sign of the times: A normal serving of mee mamak now costs RM6 compared with RM4 previously, no thanks to the rising cost of raw materials. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: Hawkers have been compelled to raise the prices of their dishes due to a threefold increase in the cost of raw materials over the years.
The Star checked several hawker centres here and found that food prices had increased between 50 sen and RM2.
Fried mee mamak seller Nasir Abu Bakar, 64, said five years ago, he sold his food for RM4 per serving but has now had to increase the price to RM6.
“I started to increase prices in 2019, not a steep increase but bit by bit,” he said, revealing that it was due to the increased cost of noodles, squid, vegetables and other raw materials needed to prepare the dishes.
He said, for instance, the price of fresh squid before 2019 was only RM28 per kg, compared to RM40 now.
“The price of yellow noodles has also increased from RM1 to RM3 per kg,” he said, adding that the workers’ salaries and rent have not yet been taken into account.
Nasir, who has been in the business since the 1980s, said that with the current global economic outlook, he foresees the price of raw materials increasing gradually by about 30%.
Hawker Mimi Leong, 58, said that although the cost of raw materials has increased tremendously, she has not had the courage to raise her food prices too much.
She said that over the last four years, she has only raised the price of her food like fried meehoon, fried rice and char kuey teow by 50 sen.
“I have only increased it once so far. If I increase the price anymore, I am afraid my customers will run away,” she said, adding that she maintains a portion of her dishes for her customers.
However, she said that if the price of raw materials keeps increasing, she will have no choice but to increase the price of her food again.
“I hope the government can help us by maintaining the price of raw items so that we can sell our food at an affordable price,” she said.
Petty trader Ng Ghee Chuan, 39, said the price of food items now is so high compared to what he remembers five years ago.
“Imagine – in 2019, RM50 could feed five to seven people, but now it’s only enough for three,” he said.
Ng said this might be due to the weakening ringgit, as most of the raw materials such as flour, rice and other items are imported.
Logistic company worker Glory Goh, 42, admitted that food prices have increased tremendously.
“Ten years ago, a plate of mee mamak would only cost you about RM4 or even cheaper at some places, but now it has increased to at least RM7,” he said.Goh urges the government to do something, especially to improve the economy and strengthen the ringgit.
E-hailing rider Daud Ismail, 35, said those on lower salaries like him feel most affected by the hike in food prices.
“I try to ask my wife to cook as much as possible when she is free. I sometimes help her cook, especially now during Ramadan because everything is expensive,” he said, adding that cooking at home is the only way to reduce his daily expenses.
