Farmers also concerned about rising prices
BUTTERWORTH: It is not just consumers who are concerned about rising vegetable prices. Farmers are also worried, and some claim middlemen are contributing to the problem.
Sawi and corn grower Maharam Mohd Tahir, 58, is puzzled how the price of vegetables like cauliflower, kangkung and chillies could increase by more than 50% when farmers like him are selling to wholesalers at low prices.
“We sell our sawi for RM1.30 per kg but in the market, it is sold at RM6 to RM7 per kg. So the question is, who is controlling the rising prices? Maybe it is the middleman or trader,” he said yesterday.
Maharam, who runs a 6ha farm with a friend, said the surging prices are not profiting farmers because they still have to bear the rising costs of fertiliser and pesticides, in addition to salaries.
“Fertiliser and pesticide prices have increased. Imported fertiliser used to cost about RM110 for 50kg. Now, it has hit RM160.
“The current increase in vegetable prices isn’t bringing profit to farmers. Usually, the middleman plays a big role in this situation.”
Teow Chun Tong, 47, who has been growing sawi, kangkung and bayam merah for 10 years, said the price hike is impacting farmers and consumers.
“We farmers will face losses when crops fail due to the weather. It is beyond our control.
“The continuous (rainy) weather will certainly affect our fertilised plants, eating away at our capital. So, there is a slight increase in price, but not an exorbitant amount like in the market.”
Teow added that everybody has a part to play in controlling the price of vegetables since the economy is still recovering and people are trying to deal with the rising cost of living.
“If possible, all of us, including middlemen, should avoid raising prices too much on the excuse of weather, transportation cost etc.
“Farmers are more affected by the costs that must be borne, but we still give them (wholesalers) a low price. Don’t go overboard (on the price).”
Recently, the Consumers Association of Penang urged the authorities to monitor the situation closely, following complaints about drastically high prices, with cauliflower reportedly costing RM16 per kg (up from RM7), bok choy at RM9 (up from RM3), broccoli at RM20 (up from RM8), sawi at RM8 (up from RM5), green beans at RM15 (up from RM8), cabbage at RM6 (up from RM4), red chillies at RM19 (up from RM13) and green chillies at RM14 (up from RM10).
Penang Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said in a statement that the enforcement division has conducted checks and served vegetable importers and wholesalers. – Bernama