FRUIT farmers in the central and northern regions of the peninsula have lost about 30% in profits from the two weeks of total lockdown from June 1 to 14 due to a drop in demand.

With the current lockdown extended until June 28, they fear a greater impact on their income especially with night markets banned.

Perak Fruit Farmers Association president Lim Poh Kuang said many roadside fruit stalls are closed under the lockdown. Locally grown fruits are usually destined for these stalls, supermarkets and are also sold by traders at night markets.

“Where there used to be more than 20 roadside stalls in new villages, now only two to three stalls are open because even if more stalls were to open, few people would come to buy fruits,” Lim told The Malaysian Insight.

“Supermarkets, too, have also cut back on orders in tandem with a drop in customers as people continue to shun crowded places. Some customers are also being cautious with spending.

“People will buy vegetables and meat as the main grocery items, but fruits are seen as less important, so there is a drop in demand.”

Earlier this month during the start of the total lockdown, Lim’s orchard had to throw away 500kg of jambu air, also known as Rose apple or Java apple, every day. There was a surplus of fruits because it was harvest season, but not enough wholesale buyers.

“I was heartbroken watching the fruit go to waste, as the fruit has a short shelf life.”

Lim also fears wastage when the mango season arrives.

“Mangoes can be removed in batches according to their ripeness. It is also durable to last longer.

“But if the mangoes on the trees continue to ripen and the sales volume does not increase, they will also be wasted.”

From selling his fruits wholesale at 1,000 to 2,000kg per order as was the normal practice before, Lim said he is now trying to sell his produce in smaller amounts of 100kg and to closer destinations.

He is also trying to get orders through friends and smaller communities, instead of targeting wholesalers and bigger retailers.

In addition, Lim is diversifying his crops, planting other foods with a longer shelf life.

Fruit farmers in the south, however, have a slightly better situation as they grow produce for an export market.

Malaysian Fruit Farmers Association president Hong Jok Hon said southern farmers have experienced only about 10% losses.

Most of their produce is exported to Singapore, so demand is more or less stable.

“It’s harder for farmers in the northern and central areas as they do not export to Singapore.

“When local markets and night markets are suspended, their revenue is affected,” said Hong.

He added that although many fruit growers have tried other sales approaches, whether by slashing prices or through online shopping channels, they could only sell a limited number of fruits.

In such circumstances as the pandemic continues, Hong suggested that fruit growers try to secure good and reliable buyers before the next planting season.

Johor Fruit Farmers Association president Alvin Lo Ching Yih said the pandemic has pushed more fruit farmers to pursue online sales.

“There are new collaborations with younger people (who are online-savvy).

“The farmers are responsible for planting and packaging and the younger partners are responsible for marketing and customer service,” Lo said.

He is also less pessimistic that the prolonged lockdown until June 28 will affect sales.

There may have been a dip in demand for fruits earlier this month, but after two weeks of lockdown, he feels people are channelling their expenses to more food, since they are staying at home.

“People are reducing consumption elsewhere and staying at home and will end up spending more on food.

“I know of some fruit businesses that have improved slightly, although I don’t dare predict how long this improvement can last,” said Lo.

As for cases of fruit farmers throwing away their harvest, Lim of the Perak farmers’ association said they would first try to offload fruits to welfare homes.

He said efforts are made to ensure that as much fruit as possible is consumed, but sometimes there is just too much.

“Even the freezers have no place to store them. It is sad to watch the fruit go bad and all our hard work come to nothing.”

Hong, meanwhile, said social media users who were angry over wasted fruit should understand that farmers had not expected the sudden drop in demand due to a total lockdown again, after the first movement-control order in March last year. – June 19, 2021.