Fish, veggie prices markedly higher amidst low supply
KOTA KINABALU: The prevailing monsoon season has cause�� a ��isruption in fish supply, resulting in a surge in prices an�� posing a challenge to fishmongers.
Customers have not been keen to purchase seafood at markedly higher prices�� said Tahirah Abu Basar.
“Even though the difference in price is only a few ringgit�� customers will still try to bargain for a lower price.
“We have to relent in the end because over the years. I’ve learnt that it’s better to sell at a loss than not to sell at all.
“If we insist on selling at a ��xed price�� customers will not buy and we will end up with a surplus of supply which will go to waste��” she said.
Tahirah�� who has been selling seafood at the Kota Kinabalu Central for a decade�� explained that hawkers sometimes cannot afford to be rigid with their pricing because they have to clear their daily supply before receiving fresh supply.
If they do not maintain their order quantity�� other sellers will get the stock and it might jeopardize their relationship with the suppliers�� she said.
Tahirah said that currently the low supply of ��sh is due to the prevailing bad weather which hinders fishermen from going out to sea.
She said that the price of seafood�� especially during the rainy season�� is not only determined by sellers and ��shermen but also by the middlemen.
“We are not the only ones who set the price of the seafood we sell�� because it depends largely on the middlemen who supply our stocks.
“We cannot jack up the price too much�� so sometimes we only make a pro��t of about RM3��” she said.
Tahirah said she only receives around 5 kilogrammes of fish now�� whereas in fairer weather�� she would receive up to 30 kilogrammes from her supplier.
Sellers can be heard making remarks such as�� “Kita beli pun mahal bah��” (We also buy at an expensive price)�� when customers bargain for a lower price.
Another ��shmonger who wished to be identi��ed only as Rhea said fish prices have soared by 20 percent due to limited supply.
Some fishermen have even taken leave and do not go out to sea�� she said�� adding that they can still get fish but in smaller amounts and at higher prices.
The 20-year-old who helps out at her family’s stall said they receive the highest demand for snapper and grouper ��sh.
Rainy weather has also affected vegetable supply�� which currently shares the same fate as seafood.
Vegetable vendor Zuhari Lakamba said he now receives less stock from his supplier due to bad weather�� which also leads to an increase in price.
Tomatoes and bird’s eye chilis (cili padi) are most expensive now�� he said�� reaching up to RM10 per kilogramme and RM70 per kilogramme�� respectively. Leafy greens are sometimes unavailable altogether.
Another seller�� Ah Kong�� said low vegetable supply began after continuous downpour a few weeks back.
He is hopeful that stocks will be replenished once the weather improves�� but reckoned it is still subjective and would take a long time to get back on track.
“Vegetable supply depends largely on the weather. We can’t predict when the weather will improve�� but even after it does�� it will take some time for the supply to get back to normal. For now�� it’s quite challenging because the stocks we get from the suppliers do not meet our order due to shortage. If you are not a regular customer�� it will be even harder to get supply��” he said.