Consumers balk at rising price of vegetables
MIRI: The rising price of vegetables here of late is pu ing off consumers, particularly those preparing for Chinese New Year.
Retiree Shim KS told The Borneo Post she is buying less for the celebration because of the higher prices.
“I’m not buying much, just an amount that is enough for my family of three. On the contrary, the meat seems to be cheaper. During the reunion we usually have more meat dishes compared to vegetable dishes. I would prepare a dish or two just to make the reunion more colourful,” said Sim.
Housewife Teng Gek Hua complained that traders could be profiteering during this period.
“During normal days, regardless the rainy or dry season, the price will only reach up to RM10 per kg.
“The traders are taking the opportunity to make money during the festive season and this is causing a lot of frustration among the Chinese because they have no choice but to fork out more money for it. Even more so when this happens during every Chinese New Year,” she said.
I’m not buying much, just an amount that is enough for my family of three. On the contrary, the meat seems to be cheaper. During the reunion we usually have more meat dishes compared to vegetable dishes. I would prepare a dish or two just to make the reunion more colourful. Shim KS
A check with vegetable traders at Krokop 10 market found five traders charging RM15 per kg for choy sum and bok choi, while broccoli was priced at RM13 per kg.
Two other traders said they were charging RM13 per kg for the two leafy vegetables.
“The cost already so expensive. We cannot sell it at the usual price because we have to make some profit,” one of the traders said.
A vegetable trader, who wished to be identified only as Ang, selling local vegetables and those imported from Sabah based in the city centre, agreed that local markets were charging excessively high prices.
“Even though I am a vegetable trader, I don’t understand why