The flood season has become a recurring issue in Malaysia over the years, significantly affecting certain states, particularly during the northeast monsoon season at the end of the year.
However, the flood situation does not only impact these specific states but also affects the entire country.
The recent floods, which affected Kelantan, Kedah, Johor, Melaka, Perlis, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, and Terengganu, have caused vegetable prices to surge by 50 to 80 per cent.
This is primarily due to the extensive damage to farmland across five states.
According to the president of the Malaysian Federation of Vegetable Farmers Association, Lim Ser Kwee, farmland in Melaka, Johor, Perak, Kelantan, and Terengganu was severely impacted, leading to a reduced supply and contributing to the price hike.
“The floods this time around were severe, with over 100 hectares of farmland inundated,” he said, as reported by New Straits Times (NST).
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The situation was exacerbated by flooding in Thailand, which disrupted vegetable imports. Lim added that farmers are waiting for the floodwaters to recede before resuming agricultural activities.
A vegetable trader, Wan Baharuddin Ahmad, reported that the prices of vegetables have been rising steadily over the past two weeks.
He noted a decline in the supply of local vegetables such as bayam (spinach), sawi (mustard greens), and kangkong (water spinach).
According to him, sawi, bayam, and kangkong are now priced at RM8 per kilogram, compared to their previous price of RM3.50 per kilogram.
Similarly, the prices of tomatoes and lady’s fingers have increased to RM8 per kilogram and RM9.50 per kilogram, respectively, from RM4 per kilogram and RM6.50 per kilogram.
He also mentioned that red peppers are now priced at RM22 per kilogram, up from RM14 per kilogram.
Adding to the concern, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has warned of a potential second wave of flooding, expected to occur between December 8 and December 14, which may primarily affect Johor and Penang.
Source: NST
