ALOR STAR: Prices of essential goods listed under the 2024 Christmas Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) have remained stable in Kedah ahead of the festive season.
Checks at Pasar Besar in Alor Star revealed that supplies of key items, including onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, and potatoes, were plentiful, with prices showing little fluctuation over the past week.
Vegetable trader Ku Asyraf Wajdi, 25, said the cost of imported greens had largely remained stable, with only occasional fluctuations in recent months.
"The selling price of carrots has stayed at RM4 per kg for a while, well below the controlled price of RM4.50 per kg.
"(Prices of) red chillies have fluctuated but remain around RM15 per kg, matching the controlled price.
"Cabbages, too, have stayed at the controlled selling price of RM5 per kg.
"Tomatoes, however, have seen an increase. Previously, they cost RM2 per kg but now stand at RM3 per kg.
"We've had to cut our profit margins to adhere to the controlled selling price of RM5 per kg."
He said the recent floods have not significantly impacted prices, as many of the vegetables are imported.
He said officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry regularly monitored markets in the city to ensure compliance with price controls.
Onion and spice trader Kau Chia Leng, 57, noted that the prices of onion varieties had remained stable, with some even becoming cheaper in recent months.
"I'm currently selling large red onions at RM5 per kg, large yellow onions at RM3.30 per kg, and Chinese-imported potatoes at RM2.20 per kg—all below the controlled prices.
"I don't think supplies and prices will be affected at the moment, but things might change closer to Chinese New Year," she said.Butcher Mohd Farhan Che Ariffin, 36, said imported mutton prices had held steady at about RM26 per kg, with ample supply."As I source mutton only from Australia and New Zealand, currency fluctuations play a significant role. However, prices remain below the controlled price of RM28 per kg for now," he added.Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's Price Catcher mobile application showed variations in prices across outlets in Alor Star, with plenty of cheaper options available depending on the location.
On Friday, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that 14 items would be listed under the 2024 SHMMP, effective Dec 23.
The controlled items include mutton; round cabbages imported from Indonesia and China (excluding Beijing cabbage), carrots, tomatoes, red chillies, green bell peppers, imported large red onions, large yellow onions, and potatoes imported from China.
Price control measures for pork belly, pork meat and fat, live pigs, and chicken wings will only apply in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
Additionally, live old chickens will be controlled in Sarawak.