Vegetable Prices Increase By 50-80% Due To Flood Damage At Farms Across 5 States
The situation worsened as Thailand was also hit by floods.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 06 Dec 2024, 11:00 AM
Vegetable prices have surged by 50-80% due to floods affecting 100 hectares of farms across five states
According to the New Straits Times, Malaysian Federation of Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said the floods damaged farms in Johor, Melaka, Perak, Kelantan, and Terengganu, causing a supply shortage and consequently spiking prices.
He said the situation worsened after Thailand was also hit by floods, which impacted imports.
"Farmers are now waiting for floodwaters to subside before replanting can begin," Lim added.
A farmer suffered losses after his farm in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, was damaged by floods.
Image via Torek Sulong/Utusan MalaysiaSupporting this view, vegetable trader Wan Baharuddin Ahmad noted that prices have been rising over the past two weeks
He said the supply of sawi, bayam, and kangkung, among other vegetables, has dropped.
"Our suppliers have told us the situation could last until early next year," Wan Baharuddin said.
Based on his observation, sawi, bayam, and kangkung are now priced at RM8/kg, compared to the previous price of RM3.5/kg. Meanwhile, the prices for tomatoes and lady's fingers have increased to RM8/kg and RM9.50/kg from RM4/kg and RM6.50/kg, respectively.
He also said the price of red peppers has increased to RM22/kg from RM14/kg.
On Wednesday, 4 December, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also chairs the National Disaster Management Committee, warned that a second wave of floods is expected to begin tomorrow, 7 December, and will affect Pahang and Johor.
