ALOR STAR: Prices of essential food items and ingredients in Kedah have surged as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is expected to commence on Tuesday.
Checks at Pasar Besar here today found that prices of beef, chicken, mutton and onion varieties have escalated significantly recently.
Butcher Johana Izalfy Jamaluddin, 39, said that there is high demand for beef lately, leading to a total jump of RM3 per kilogramme (kg) for imported beef this week.
He explained that imported beef from India has become more expensive due to heightened demand from other Muslim countries.
"Imported beef has increased significantly. Previously, customers could purchase 1kg for RM20, but now it's RM23. Demand from Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries has driven up Indian beef prices. However, we have abundant stocks," he said when met here today.
Johana said that however, local beef prices have remained unaffected by the surge in demand, maintaining at RM38 per kg.
Another butcher Mohd Farhan Che Ariffin, 36, said that currency exchange rates have also impacted beef and mutton prices.
"As I only import mutton from Australia and New Zealand, currency fluctuations have had an effect. A few weeks ago, 1kg was RM25, and now it's RM26," he said.
Chicken trader Wan Mohamad Afiq Wan Ahmad Fauzi, 27, said that there is a RM1.10 per kg increase in chicken prices over the past week, with standard chicken now priced at RM9.40 per kg and super chicken at RM9.80 per kg.
"It is normal for chicken prices to increase during festive seasons. For Ramadan, Insyaallah, stocks are plentiful," he said.
Spice trader Kau Chai Lang, 58, said there is a significant increase in onion varieties imported from India, with large onions now sold at RM8 per 600 grams (g) packs, while small onions are priced at RM7 per 600g packs.
"Previously, I received 5kg packs of large onions for RM34, but now it's RM42. Thus, I've had to adjust my selling prices, increasing them by RM2 per 600g," she added.
However, vegetable trader Shukri Hasyim, 64, said that vegetable prices have remained stable, if not decreased, thanks to abundant locally grown varieties such as tomatoes, okras, and chilies.
"Previously, tomatoes were sold at RM10 per kg, but now they're as low as RM7 per kg. Similarly, I sell okra at RM10 per kg and local chilies at RM18 per kg," he added.
Meanwhile, Juzairee Riduwan, 45, a shopper, lamented the increased prices of beef before Ramadan but accepted that it was the norm.
"Sometimes these suppliers take advantage of festive seasons, they raise prices astronomically and limit stocks to manipulate the markets," said the businessman.
Another shopper, Mohd Fauzi Zainol, 46, said that he was shocked with onion prices and hoped the government would introduce measures to control prices of essential goods.