Price hike of wet goods affects consumer, traders alike
SIBU: The increase in prices of wet items is not only affecting consumers but is also worrying traders at Sibu Central Market here.
A beef trader who wished to be known as Fairuz, 29, said the hike in price of imported beef had affected her sales.
She said the price of imported beef was now RM45 per kg compared to around RM38 per kg previously.
“Following the increase, the sales of meat have declined slightly. Also, I cannot take large quantity from suppliers to avoid bigger losses.
“The price was increased after Hari Raya. I do not know what will happen if prices go up again later.
“The hike depends on the supplier and we have to follow if they increase the price. There is not much profit after deducting workers’ salary, cost of ice and other cost,” she said.
A fish seller called Irene, 42, said they had been informed by their suppliers that the new price of imported fish would be made available to them soon.
She said the price of mackerel and sardines was still RM8 per kg while tongkol (skipjack tuna) was RM10 per kg.
“We are expecting an increase of RM1 to RM2 if our suppliers hike prices,” she said.
Irene said she was worried customers would refuse to buy her fish if they deemed them expensive, and this would affect her income.
She said the last time she sold fish at higher price was after Hari Raya, an increase of about RM1.
Chicken seller Nur Aafiyah Jubang, 43, said the price of yellow chicken now was RM12 per kg, standard chicken RM9.50 per kg, super chicken RM10.50 per kg and old chicken between RM20 and RM22 per bird.
She could not confirm the new price if there was an increase.
“For super and standard chickens, the price is set by the authority while old and yellow chickens depend on the price set by the suppliers,” she said.