WHILE the falling prices of vegetables is good for consumers, it may affect production, farmers and wholesalers said. 

A positive change in weather and an abundance of produce have caused prices to drop by 40-50%. 

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers’ Association president Wong Keng Fatt said business isn’t good even though prices have plummeted. 

“This affect our business as we have to pay for stock, overheads and workers,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Wong said not many people are buying vegetables despite the drop in prices. 

“Even though prices have dropped, sales aren’t good.

“Tomatoes now cost about RM4.50 per kg (previously RM10), okra RM7 to RM8 (RM14), long beans RM3 to RM4 (RM11), and Japanese cucumber RM3 (RM7).” 

He said the abundance of produce is due to good weather.  

“We expect prices to drop further next week, maybe 20-30%. 

“We also don’t expect a lot of business during the fasting month. We expect to see prices go up after the Hari Raya festivities,” Wong added. 

Last month, rainy weather and floods drove up the prices of vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, eggplant, and long beans. 

The weather has improved since then, and farmers and wholesalers have an abundance of produce to sell.   

Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations president Lim Ser Kwee said in the past few days, the prices of vegetables have dropped drastically.

“Last month, when the vegetable prices were high, everyone complained. But now we have a lot of produce to sell at cheap prices, which is a loss for us.  

“We have no choice but to continue farming and we can’t stop production because if the weather turns bad again then another shortage might happen.

“If it (vegetables) is RM6 per kg and it drops to RM3 then it is still alright. But if it goes down to RM1 then we are in trouble.   

“We also have to think about our production costs, foreign workers, and other issues.” – February 18, 2023.