Vegetable prices have risen in Malaysia as a result of the weather, a labour scarcity, and higher production expenses

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

According to industry players questioned by CNA, a heavier-than-usual monsoon season, labour shortages, and higher production costs have all contributed to recent increases in vegetable prices in Malaysia of 30 to 40%.

Vegetable prices usually climb around the end of the year, according to the Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association, because vegetable production activities are influenced by the monsoon season.

 

"The severe rains simply make it impossible to grow veggies."
The fertiliser is washed away, exposing the roots; the extra moisture makes them rot-prone, and they don't receive enough sunlight to flourish," said Chay Ee Mong, the association's secretary.

He added that the vegetable producers were also dealing with other issues this season, such as a lack of staff to assist with planting and harvesting.

Mr Chay stated that vegetable farms in the Cameron Highlands rely largely on foreign labour, and that many of them have returned to their home countries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began last year.

 

Furthermore, farms were unable to hire additional foreign workers due to the government's plan to freeze foreign labour hiring beginning in June 2020.

Mr Chay stated that some foreign workers whose work permits had expired chose to leave the country.

Farmers are also facing growing expenses for agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and farming instruments such as geotextiles and weather protection structures, according to him.

 

"For instance, we buy our plant fertiliser wherever it is cheapest, but did you know that a tonne of urea fertiliser, which used to cost little under RM1,000 (US$235), now costs RM4,000?"
Mr. Chay explained.

Mr Chay noted that the pandemic's supply chain concerns, which impacted international shipping and logistics, had hampered the delivery and availability of fertilisers and farming implements.

 

Lim Ser Kwee, President of the Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations, said that vegetable prices had been rising for some time, but that the increases had been particularly severe this yearend.

Chilli costs had risen from RM7 per kilogramme to RM10 per kg, he told CNA.
The price even reached RM20 per kg last week.

 

Broccoli costs had also increased from RM8 per kilogramme to RM16 per kg, he said.

"Vegetable prices are comparable to stock prices."
Mr Lim, who owns a vegetable farm in Simpang Renggam, Johor, said that while prices have risen and fallen, overall they have increased by 30 to 40%.

Malaysia used to be able to import goods like Indonesian round cabbage to meet market demand.

 

"You could buy one head for roughly RM0.50 and have it delivered in a week, then sell it for RM1 once it cleared customs."
You could still be able to make money.

"However, with the disrupted shipment, it's possible that you won't receive your vegetable order for another two weeks," he stated.