Vegetable prices soar as production in Cameron Highlands hit by monsoon

IPOH - The year-end monsoon season has affected the production of vegetables in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands, causing prices to soar by as much as 50 per cent, said farmers.

Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said low pollination and temperatures had affected the production of vegetables.

It had been raining in the highlands over the past few days and such weather usually creates a prolonged impact on vegetable production.

“Most times, it is cloudy and the low production has caused the prices of some vegetables to increase,” Mr Chay said.

“Depending on the types of vegetables, the price increase is easily between 30 per cent and 50 per cent.”

He said the vegetables that are expected to see a price hike include tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies, beans, capsicum and selected leafy greens.

However, he said consumers could choose from 80 other types of leafy vegetables that were still priced low, such as spinach and cabbage. “But for tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies, there is no substitute and their price increase is inevitable as plant growth is slow,” he added.

He said vegetable production would usually return to normal by the end of January once the weather has settled.

Mr Chay also said the farmers were still affected by a labour shortage and hoped that the authorities would look into the problem soon.

Demand for eggs has also been rising.

Agriculture and Food Industry (Mafi) secretary-general Haslina Abdul Hamid said the high demand for eggs is normal at this time of the year, but the problem is usually offset by early preparations and planning since September.

“At the National Council of Cost of Living (Naccol) meeting with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on Sunday, Mafi presented the (supply) situation on the seven controlled items, including eggs. We have no shortage of premium eggs which are not controlled items, but there is a shortage of graded eggs A, B and C,” she said.

“However, this time around, there was a sudden surge as consumers are suddenly eating out more and there is more demand for Grade A, B and C (eggs).

“In September, we discussed production issues with egg producers, whose main request was that we relook the subsidy given to them – which is 10 sen (S$0.03) – as their cost of production has increased.

“The decrease in our currency also lowered their profits, as most of the proteins fed to layer chickens are imported.

“We have looked at (feed) alternatives, but these alternatives such as planting corn take up to eight months. We cannot resolve these problems immediately,” said Ms Haslina.

She also said the farms that do exports and those that produce for local consumption are different, as the eggs for export to Singapore have high specifications which not every farm can meet.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Azman Mohd Yusof said the shortage of eggs does not affect all parts of the country, but only in locations where there is a surge in demand.

He said: “We understand there is a shortage from the farms but despite that, we will take action against anyone who raises the prices of Grade A, B and C eggs as these are controlled items.

“If we find that there are states with no eggs at all, we then request that other states with extra stocks to help out.

“I have ordered that there be more enforcement checks to ensure that there is no profiteering. The pictures on social media of heaps of eggs being sold out immediately is a common occurrence when there are pocket surges.

“However, I ask that consumers posting these (images) on social media be specific as to where this is happening and if there is profiteering (so that) we can take action.”
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK