IN conjunction with the recent Raya season, demand for essential items including sugar have been high, especially from consumers in Kelantan.

Ainy Md Yunos, 71, from Pengkalan Chepa said she ran out of sugar and has not been able to get any from grocery stores in three days.

“I have to replace sugar in cooking and drinks with stevia until I can get more sugar,” she told Bernama today.

Satay seller Siti Aminah Awang, 65, from Kampung Baung said she needs more than 20kg of sugar a day to make around 2,000 sticks of satay.

“The sugar shortage to some extent interferes with businesses, considering sugar is one of the main ingredients in dishes and drinks,” she said.

Grocery store operator Sepiah Ismail, 64, of Kampung Landak said sugar supply at her store was depleted two days ago. She said she has been trying to get 240kg of sugar, which she normally purchases from suppliers in the district for her customers.

Kelantan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Azman Ismail when contacted said the ministry had distributed 250,000kg of sugar today to several supermarkets in the state.

“This supply (sugar) will be distributed in stages, including to wholesalers and retailers, from time to time. We expect the sugar shortage to be completely resolved within two days,” he added. – Bernama, May 1, 2023.