FRESH PRODUE IN MONSOON SEASON

IN MALAYSIA normally the vegetables more expensive due to continuous heavy rain and wet weather. During the country's continuous heavy rain and wet weather have contributed to the increase in vegetable prices. From my observation the change in climate and uncertain weather had tremendously affected farmers' vegetable production. The change in weather had led to the reduction of production in which the demand keeps increasing and it leading to the increase in price. Natural disasters caused by climate change such as floods had highly impacted farmers' production costs due to farm services and maintenance. This included the input cost such as seed, fertiliser and agrochemical items used to help in production, which had affected farmers' profit and working capital. It would take at least around six months for a farm to come to a full cycle and produce vegetables when it is hit by the flood. This is also the reason why many farmers gave up and we have to outsource the production in turn. Local media reported that prices of several vegetables had skyrocketed by more than 160 per cent. in late 2023 and early 2024. Based on a list provided by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) in which the price of lady's fingers had gone up from RM6 per kilogram last month to RM16 this month. For long beans had doubled in price from RM6 per kg to RM12, tomatoes from RM4.50 per kg to RM10 and eggplants from RM7 per kg to RM12. At the same time study on price comparison done by local analyst on a local market in Kuala Lumpur and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry's price-checker website also revealed that several prices of vegetables had nearly doubled from RM12 per kg to RM22 this month. This included red chilli prices which had gone up from RM12 per kg to RM22, tomatoes from RM6 to RM9.80 and eggplants from RM11 to RM19.67. However, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) had said the prices of vegetables were likely to see a drop within the next month or two following numerous efforts taken by the agency. While vegetable prices had seen an increase in recent months owing to several factors and including the floods, they were expected to stabilise soon. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" it was an issue arise in Malaysia during the monsoon season discussed.

From a study report prepared by Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Datuk Dr Paul Selvaraj said it was important for Malaysia to stabilise its food production to reduce the cost of essential food such as vegetables. Factors such as that the government's under investment in agriculture had also contributed to the increase in vegetable prices. Reported that only 12 per cent of our agricultural land is used for food production, while the remaining is used for cash crops. Hence, this is why our food production is not sufficient and we need to import. When there is an issue with the source country, whether it is a conflict or climate change, the production will go down and supply will be limited. Malaysia need to increase our food production so our self-sufficiency rate (also) increases. Actually, apart from the climate change, monopoly practices and price distortion along the supply chain were among the reasons for the increase in vegetable prices. This is why in terms of the policy; we need to focus on food production and a free-market supply chain to stabilise the prices and reduce food import. Hence, Malaysia needs to look at agriculture as a critical part of our community well-being because food is essential and this is where policy, regulation and removal of all kinds of barriers are crucial to ensure good food production.

According to CAP reported that the Red chillies now priced at RM20 per kg, coriander leaves RM32 per kg.  Prices of vegetables have become so high that consumers have stopped purchasing them, while restaurateurs are removing certain dishes from their menus. These are lists of vegetable prices at Bayan Baru market, a shop in Little India, and obtained from a vegetable seller. Prices of vegetables have become so high that consumers have stopped purchasing them, while restaurateurs are removing certain dishes from their menus. Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) education officer N.V. Subbarow said the association has received reports of extremely exorbitant prices of common vegetables such as 'kailan', chillies, lady's fingers and coriander leaves. The price (per kg) for coriander leaves is RM32, long beans is RM20.50, red chilly is RM20, mint leaves are RM11, Chinese celery leaves are RM25, and eggplants are RM20.50. Are consumers able to buy these? It is a question asked by them at the market and when they meet CAP officials.  The other types of vegetables were now too expensive, and it has impacted owners of eateries who prefer to do away with some popular vegetable dishes. Chilly prices are too hot for the consumers. Prices for common vegetables such as kai lan, bitter guard, long beans are also very high.  Some food restaurant owners told the CAP that they are not going to cook brinjal curry because its sold RM20.50 per kg," he said.  Prices of vegetables have become so high that consumers have stopped purchasing them, while restaurateurs are removing certain dishes from their menus. These are lists of vegetable prices at Bayan Baru market, a shop in Little India, and obtained from a vegetable seller. CAP has also been reporting about how vegetable prices have doubled in the past month. It previously said the price of lady's fingers had gone up by 166 per cent from RM6 per kg last month to RM16 per kg this month. Similarly, long beans had doubled in price from RM6 per kg to RM12 per kg, tomatoes from RM4.50 per kg to RM10 per kg (a 120 per cent increase), and eggplants from RM7 per kg to RM12 per kg (a 71 per cent increase). CAP had previously said that several retailers, distributors and wholesalers had warned that prices of other vegetables might go up in the coming weeks.

Reported that poor weather, reduced production, expensive inputs and higher costs of imported vegetables were among the reasons behind the skyrocketing price of greens in the country. A report from Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the rainy season has caused low productivity and production of vegetables.  Poor weather conditions have affected the growth of vegetables in Cameron Highlands, causing lower production volumes and recently, we even had landslides. Within these two years, we have been facing a shortage of labour, which has not allowed us to go full swing with our production," he said, adding that expensive inputs of fertilisers, pesticides and grains have also contributed to the increase in vegetable prices. He said vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and chillies were imported, therefore they were pricey. Imported ones of course will be expensive, due to the freight charges and shipping costs that have also increased. Hence, consumers have to bear the cost too. Previously, it was easy and cheap to import these vegetables, but look at the scenario now. He added vegetable importers were also facing problems, as greens were perishable and they would have to bear the loss, should there be any delay in shipment. From a report prepared by Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said checks showed that the prices of some vegetables had increased by up to 200 per cent in the past two weeks. Prices of sawi pendek (choy sum) have increased from RM3 per kg to RM9 per kg, a hike of 200 per cent, broccoli from RM8 per kg to RM20 per kg, which is an increase of 150 per cent and cauliflower from RM7 per kg to RM16 per kg, a rise of 100 per cent. Other vegetables included beans (kacang buncis) from RM8 per kg to RM15 per kg (88 per cent increase), sawi from RM5 per kg to RM8 per kg (60 per cent increase), cabbage from RM4 per kg to RM6 per kg (50 per cent increase), red chillies from RM13 per kg to RM19 per kg (46 per cent increase) and green chillies from RM10 per kg to RM14 per kg (40 per cent increase). It was vital for the government to have a good policy to increase local products, instead of depending on imports. At present reported that Malaysia imported about 70 per cent of its vegetables. They always said that it is cheaper to import. However, the situation has changed. Less supply worldwide, price hikes and expensive logistics among others, have affected the import of vegetables. This is what we get when we don't focus on self-sufficiency in which last year Malaysia imported RM5.4 billion worth of vegetables. Thanks... 

 

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(Febuary 2024).