THE monsoon season could affect the output of vegetables, raising prices by up to 70% next month, farmer groups said. 

They said that with the erratic weather, production of produce such as tomatoes, string beans, spring onion, coriander, chili and others could drop by 30%.

Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said prices in December are expected to rise 30-70%.

“Now spring onion and coriander retail prices are about RM20 per kg and tomatoes are going for RM6 to RM7 per kg. 

“We forecast that the price of French beans (retail RM12-14), capsicum (retail RM12-13 per kg) might go up more if the weather worsens next month,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Chay said the weather has been bad this year.

“Previously we had hot weather which is good for cultivation, but it’s the rainy season now. 

“Of course we need the water but we also need sunshine for crops to grow.

“Vegetables in the greenhouse are also affected by the weather.”

He said lack of sunshine and photosynthesis will affect the growth of chillies, onions, long beans and others. 

“When production is low then prices of vegetables will spike.”

Chay said that about 60% of vegetables are imported. 

“They’re imported from China, Thailand, Indonesia and other neighbouring countries. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, onions. Even 60% of chilies are imported from Thailand and Vietnam.

“We used to import from Australia, but now it is expensive because of high transport costs.

“So we turned to countries that are nearer for supply.”

Chay said most vegetable production has dropped 20-30%.

“In Cameron Highlands, the production of tomatoes, string beans, spring onion coriander, chili has dropped. 

“This is because of the weather. It started in September and October.”

Cameron Highlands Chinese Farmers Association deputy president Cheng Nan Hong expects prices to go up 30-50% for onions, Japanese mustard, pak choi (Chinese celery cabbage), cabbage and tomatoes.

“Vegetable prices are sure to go up. If there is a monsoon, then we are affected because of the erratic weather.

“It not only affects the vegetables out in the fields but also in the greenhouses. We expect production to drop 30%.

“Last year was worse as yields during the same period dropped more than 50%.”

He said the prices of cabbage, spring onions, tomatoes, and chillies are expected to rise. 

“If the weather worsens next month, we expect most farmers’ to raise priced for selected vegetables by RM2. 

“We can already see the prices rising with onions now costing RM5 per kg when previously the price was RM1.50 per kg.” –  November 20, 2023.