FRUIT, vegetable and fish wholesalers in Kuala Lumpur have yet to see a full recovery of their businesses as they restart under the recovery movement-control order (RMCO).

They said this is because locals are still being cautious about spending because of a weak economy caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also, a crackdown on foreign workers and the continued closure of morning and night markets in numerous areas are also affecting wholesalers’ income.

Many previous wet market and pasar malam traders said they are not fully operational due to the standard operating procedure imposed by the authorities.

Three major wholesalers told The Malaysian Insight that their businesses are only up to about 70% of the usual.

Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Fruit Association president Chin Nyuk Moy said despite the opening of almost all economic sectors, business is still affected by the pandemic.

“The fruit industry has not been greatly affected as people still are consuming these products.

“But there is still a decline as consumers are not purchasing as they did before.”

Many traders are used to the brisk business from pasar malam but that has now stopped.

“Some pasar malam are still closed. In the past, there were many people buying and selling fruits.”

This, she said, is due to many pasar malam operators failing to get approval to start their businesses because of the SOP.

“While the government allowed pasar malam operators to restart on June 15, many are still waiting for approval to do so.

“This has affected many wholesale businesses.”

She also said that several morning markets are also finding it difficult to jumpstart operations because of the SOP.

“If they start their business (without approval), then the authorities will come after them.”

She cited the crackdown on illegal workers as another factor why stall owners have stopped doing business.

‘Not what we expected’

Federation of Vegetable Sellers Association of Malaysia president Chong Tek Keong, meanwhile, said his business is down 40% due to the pandemic.

“We are currently only earning about 60%. The current recovery rate now is not what we expected.

“We want to upskill our workers and reduce the price of vegetables so that consumers can benefit.”

Chong said due to manpower and worker training issues, it will take time for some businesses to get back on their feet.

It’s also difficult for the industry to hire foreign workers.

“The vegetable industry can only hire locals, so the salary cost is relatively high.”

The current salary offered to locals is around the RM2,000 mark.

“In the past, foreign workers were paid RM50 to RM100 per day. Now, it is RM2,000 monthly.”

Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Wholesale Fish Association chairman Sing Kian Hock said many are only generating 70% of the usual sales currently.

“After a large number of foreign workers were repatriated, some businesses have been affected.

“We are still not operating at 100% because the people and country are affected by this economic crisis. They don’t have the purchasing power.”

Sing said members used to sell about 10% of their goods to foreign workers but this revenue stream has since dried up.

“Restrictions on the number of people allowed in restaurants, morning and night markets have also affected us.”

He said that because they have no choice but to hire locals, the salary cost for the industry has increased by about 20%.

“Because the fish business is not easy, it is difficult to get locals involved.

“Now, most businesses are supported by their families and relatives.”

They stand to lose their licences to operate if Kuala Lumpur City Hall catches any foreign worker at wholesale markets, he said. – August 17, 2020.