Vegetable prices in Malaysia set to soar again due to wet weather

PETALING JAYA - Consumers in Malaysia have been warned to expect a shortage of vegetables in the market as continuous rain in the past few days caused farms to be inundated and damaged by strong winds, say farmers.

Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said the sudden and heavy downpours damaged over one million kg of vegetables at farms, with losses amounting to tens of millions of ringgit.

He added that farmers in the southern state of Johor reported that their water pumps installed on the riverbanks were washed away, while machinery was submerged in the water.

“They reported flooded roads, which have affected transport vehicles entering the farms, causing supply chaos in the vegetable wholesale market,” said Mr Lim on Wednesday. “Farmers also incurred more losses as they were not able to salvage their pesticides and fertilisers.”

All 10 Johor districts have been affected by the floods, with more than 26,000 victims from over 7,000 families seeking shelter at 193 temporary flood relief centres as at noon on Thursday.

Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong warned of a possible price rise if the weather remains unstable because yield quality will further erode.

“For example, long beans dropped from RM10 (S$3) to RM2 per kg, cucumber from RM5 to RM2 per kg, sawi (mustard leaves) and kangkung (water spinach) were all less than RM2 per kg.

“Prices fluctuate according to the supply and demand in the wholesale markets and the quality of vegetables,” Mr Chay said, adding that farmers often ended up making more losses than profits.

Mr Chay noted that the period of high prices previously was due to the abnormal weather patterns between late 2022 and early 2023, with frequent rain.

“This differs from the year before, when we had a good period of sunshine before Chinese New Year, which helped with the growth and gave farmers good yields. Hence, prices were stable,” he said.

“When there is little sun during rainy weather, vegetables grow much slower because less photosynthesis takes place, affecting yields and supply. Consumers should understand that the weather patterns, vegetable prices and production are closely related.”

Despite the losses, Mr Lim said farmers would keep rejuvenating the soil and planting on a smaller scale, even amid the rainy weather forecast.

“If we don’t, the vegetable supply and prices will be affected more severely, especially when the Ramadan fasting month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri come,” he said.

While vegetable prices fluctuate from time to time, Mr Lim said farmers had been facing rising production costs for a long time.

“When vegetable output is high and prices are low, farmers have no choice but to bear all the losses. The situation has made it difficult for us to survive,” he added.

Mr Lim asked the government to come up with a plan for national subsidies for vegetables, saying all state governments should have a systematic mechanism to distribute flood relief funds and other types of subsidies to vegetable farmers across the country. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK