KUANTAN: The demand for Cameron Highlands fresh vegetables has seen a drop ever since the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect on March 18.
The MCO which saw the closure of night markets (pasar malam), farmers’ market (pasar tani) and some restaurants nationwide, resulted in wholesalers choosing to buy in smaller quantities to avoid losses.
Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said wholesalers and retailers had decided to cut down their orders saying there was lesser demand in the supply chain.
“Previously, wholesalers used to order vegetables weighing about 100kg in a day, but now they have reduced to only 60kg a day. The open markets including morning markets and night markets are closed while most restaurants prefer not to buy a lot vegetables since there was no dining in.
"Since there is a drop in customers, wholesalers and retailers choose to buy in much smaller quantities. Even then, there have been incidences where farmers are forced to throw away unsold vegetables," he said when contacted today.
Chay said logistics and transportation services which had been an issue during the early days of the MCO had been resolved, and there had been no shortage of supply from some 2,300 vegetable farms in the area.
Meanwhile, he said even the wholesalers operating at the Selayang wholesale market (Pasar Borong Selayang) have started to reduce their orders.
"They have started to limit the number of lorries (carrying vegetables) entering the premises and fearing the Covid-19 outbreak, they even imposed strict control over the workers at the premises. Rather than suffering losses due to unsold vegetables, they have decided to significantly reduce their orders," he said.
Kampung Raja vegetable farmer V. Paneselvam said limited business operation hours under the MCO from 7am to 7pm forced the farmers to start packing their fresh produce early.
He said previously the lorries would only start moving late at night to the Selayang wholesale market or other parts of the country.
"Nowadays, the lorries will leave by 7pm, so farmers have to ensure their vegetables are packed and prepared early or else they will not be able to sell them. Due to the MCO, there are limited number of lorries operating and they have to obtain a special permit to transport the vegetables.
"There is no shortage of vegetable supplies from Cameron Highlands and at times we have to throw the unsold ones away. We are prepared to donate but lack of transportation and restricted vehicle movements leave us with no choice," he said.
Tanah Rata assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong said the closure of open markets and restaurants had tremendously affected the sales of fresh vegetables from Cameron Highlands.
"Even the wet markets have limited operating hours. However, farmers are operating as usual and there is definitely no shortage.
"Online selling platforms have started to assist the farmers here to sell their fresh produce. Even e-hailing services have started transporting vegetables to customers but these services are only available in big towns," he said.