Vegetable Fish Prices Soar Up To 100 Per Cent Amid Monsoon

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Leafy vegetables experiencing price increases include mustard greens, spinach, water spinach, and chillies. - NSTP FILEPICCAMERON HIGHLANDS: Some "popular" vegetables and fish are seeing supply shortages due to the monsoon season, with prices surging up to 100 per cent this week.
Cameron Highlands Malay Farmers Association president Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Abd Rashid said the price hikes involve leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, chillies, cabbage, Siew Pak Choy (green leaf cabbage), and tomatoes.
He noted that tomato prices, for example, have risen from RM1.80 per kg to RM4 per kg, while chillies now cost around RM5, up from RM1.50 per kg.
Cabbage is priced at 90 sen to RM1 per kg, mustard greens at RM1.50 per kg (up from 70 sen), and Siew Pak Choy at RM4 per kg (previously RM1).
Syed Abdul Rahman warned that if the bad weather persists, vegetable prices could soar up to three times due to a 30–40 per cent drop in production compared with normal seasons.
"Beginning this week, we have seen an increase in prices. Within the next two to three weeks, prices could triple.
"For example, chilli prices are expected to rise further, while leafy vegetables like mustard greens could see even higher spikes," he told Berita Harian yesterday.
Malaysia is currently in the Northeast Monsoon season, with the Malaysian Meteorological Department issuing continuous heavy rain warnings at a hazardous level, causing floods in several states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur.
The Fire and Rescue Department has also warned of more heavy rain episodes that could trigger flooding.
Syed Abdul Rahman said that vegetable farms in Cameron Highlands, which previously produced around 1,000 tonnes daily, are expected to see output drop to between 600 and 700 tonnes by the end of the month due to the weather.
He added that the bad weather has also affected vegetable quality, exposing crops to fungal diseases caused by damp conditions.
Logging Highland Bumiputera Vegetable and Flower Association deputy chairman Yusof Abdul Rahman said leafy vegetables experiencing price increases include mustard greens, spinach, water spinach, and chillies.
He noted that these price hikes are expected to continue until the end of the monsoon season next year.
"Leafy vegetables have seen a significant increase of at least 20 per cent compared with their original price due to the rainy season.
"However, fruit-type vegetables such as eggplants remain stable because their supply is supported by imports," he said.
"Yusof added that wet conditions also reduce the effectiveness of pesticides, affecting production even in the absence of flooding.
Meanwhile, Kedah Fishermen Association (Nekad) chairman Azmi Bahri said the supply of fish, particularly popular types, has been impacted, with prices rising between RM5 and RM8 per kg.
He said that fishermen in Kedah have reduced fishing activities, slightly affecting market supply.
"To stabilise supply, Nekad provides frozen fish to consumers," he said.
The association currently holds over 10 tonnes of frozen fish, including mackerel, tuna, crabs, and squid.
"Due to unpredictable weather and lower fish availability, especially mackerel, market supply has been affected.
Mackerel prices have risen significantly due to high demand, ranging from RM8 to RM10 per kg," he added. - NST

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