GEORGE TOWN: The increase in prices of some vegetables in Penang is attributed to bad weather and the lack of supply from Cameron Highlands.
Penang Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry director Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar said they have checked with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) on the reasons behind the increase in prices.
"FAMA told us that the increase in prices is due to the weather, particularly the unpredictable rain which resulted in the supply of vegetables in the market to dwindle.
"The weather also resulted in vegetables from farmers in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, becoming spoilt," he said today.
Earlier today, the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) urged the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and FAMA to take immediate steps to reduce the prices of vegetables, which had shot up in recent days.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader had said that checks showed that the prices of some vegetables had increased by up to 200 per cent over the past two weeks.
Mohd Ridzuan said the supply of imported vegetables have also reduced as the producing countries were experiencing extreme cold weather as well as an increase in container transportation costs from the exporting countries.
He gave his assurance that the authorities would continue to monitor the situation daily.
Mohd Ridzuan said the enforcement section had also conducted checks and had surrendered Goods Information Verification Notices (NPMB) to importers and vegetables wholesalers to get more information on the prices of vegetables.