In many parts of Malaysia, wholesalers have raised prices due to the shortage of some vegetables, retailers in several states said to explain the sharp increases that have upset consumers. Prices of some vegetables in states such as Kedah and Kelantan were now over three times what they were previously.
In Terengganu, lettuce has shot up to RM18/kg from RM5/kg previously. Okra, eggplant, mustard, red chili, cauliflower and green beans have all seen a RM3 increase to their previous prices. However, the price of long beans has gone down from RM22 to RM15/kg.
One vegetable seller said the price of vegetables would typically fluctuate according to supply: "The price is uncertain, there are times when it goes up and there are times when the supply changes. The price is different every day with the increase said to be due to a lack of supply. For example, salad prices have been quite high lately when they increased from RM15 to RM18 per kg compared to only RM5 per kg," she said.
Some vegetable sellers said the price increases have forced them into shrinkflation, or the practice of reducing packet sizes to present the appearance of not increasing prices.
The Department of Statistics previously reported that food inflation was officially 4.1 per cent in April but consumers have reported double- or triple-digit inflation for many food items including some staple foods.
[ RM1=€0.21 ]
Source: malaymail.com
