Thanks to some sunny weather, the arrival of foreign workers and a good harvest, locally grown greens are abundant and now a bargain for shoppers with Hari Raya just around the corner.

Farmers said now is a good time to enjoy fresh and cheap vegetables. They expect the bargains to last until after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said vegetable harvests had increased by some 30% at most farms following the recent sunny weather.

He said there has also been less consumption by businesses and families during Ramadan.

“Sales of vegetables have gone down by about 20%, as some shops and businesses cut operating hours in the fasting month.

“Families also consume fewer vegetables during this time, causing an oversupply of up to 50% in the market. The prices of many locally grown vegetables have gone down by up to 50%,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Lim said a kilo of cucumber that was around RM3 to RM4 last month is now less than RM1.

“Others like tomatoes, long beans and ladies’ fingers are also much cheaper now – their prices have gone down by half,” he said, adding that prices of red chili, however, was still the same due to lower production.

“Now, is the time to enjoy eating more vegetables because they are cheap,” he said.

He added that some wholesalers with too much supply had resorted to throwing some of their produce away.

“Usually, the leafy greens that have been on shelves for days and were no longer fresh would be thrown away.

“Some are also sold at a loss or given away to charitable bodies before they start to turn bad.”

Lim also urged consumers who want cheaper vegetables to go to bigger wet markets, where they can get the best bargains.

When contacted, Selangor and Federal Territory Ku Su Shin Choong Hung Chinese Restaurants Association vice-chairman Sia Boon Kong said some members have adjusted their pricing and portion sizes given that vegetables are now cheaper.

“Many of them are in the ‘tai pai tong’ (Chinese wok frying stalls) business that uses more local vegetables.

However, he said Chinese restaurants used more imported vegetables in their dishes so there is not much of a difference.

With the price of pork belly going up from RM19 per kilo to RM40 now, and likely to rise further, Sia believes operators will offset the cost with the cheaper price of vegetables.

Jalan Alor Hawkers and Traders Association secretary Simon Ang also said some hawkers may adjust their prices or portions, while others with high overheads, such as rent and staffing, may not.

“Additionally, the price and supply of pork and other ingredients like eggs and chicken have been volatile.

“As a result, traders will likely offset the narrow profit margin with savings from cheaper vegetables and may be unwilling to change their prices,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by ALLISON LAI

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