Imported garlic dearer now
Generally, prices of imported food are rising, but for some, the hike is not as significant as garlic and a few others. The exchange rate plays a major role, while for some, climate change is another determining factor.
SIBU: The price of antioxidantrich garlic has risen sharply, affecting not only the Chinese New Year celebration but also household expenses.
Chairman of Sibu Grocery Dealers Association, Yeo Keng Teck, confirmed this yesterday, saying the wholesale sale price for a 20kg pack, which used to cost an already high price of RM180, was now RM230.
He said this translated to a hike of up to RM14 per kg from RM9 previously in the market.
“Generally, prices of imported food are rising, but for some, the hike is not as significant as garlic and a few others. The exchange rate plays a major role, while for some, climate change is another determining factor.”
For festive goods, Yeo said cashew nuts imported from India was another cause for concern, saying the nuts cost about 30 per cent more now.
He said its wholesale price used to be RM43 per kg but it is now
Yeo Keng Teck, chairman of Sibu Grocery Dealers Association
RM58.
He confirmed mandarin oranges had also arrived, and they are dearer as well – up by about 10 per cent.
“A box of 68 oranges at wholesale is now RM45, up from RM38; and a box of 58 oranges is now RM50 from RM44. Of course, it will cost more in the market.”
Yeo said apart from the exchange rate, climate was also a factor in causing the high prices because during the orange harvest in October and November, Fujian Province was hit by a typhoon.
On rumours in the night market that a box of mandarin oranges might cost RM20 more, Yeo refused to comment.
Expected to cost more are other items like canned longans from Thailand and big and small onions from India though minimal, he said.
“Prices of dried Chinese mushrooms, soya sauce and fish sauce are also going up, but luckily not as much though.”