Food prices spike ahead of Aidilfitri

Fresh chilli has gone up by RM1 per kilogram from a week ago. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — While Muslims are busy fasting and Aidifitri just around the corner, the prices of essential items in the markets are soaring.

A Bernama survey at the wet market in Section 17 in Petaling Jaya today found that onions, which preciously sold for RM2.20 a kilogramme, were now selling at RM2.50 a kilogramme.

Red chilli sold at RM9 a kilogramme previously was now commanded RM10, while the price of flour rose to RM2.20 a kilogramme from RM2.10.

A vegetable seller at the market, M. Ganesamy, 31, told Bernama wholesalers imposed high prices thus causing traders at the market to raise the prices of items such as potatoes and onions by between 10 sen and 40 sen.

Housewife, Ruby Wong, 29, said she dared not buy in bulk as some items at the wet markets were sold at high prices as traders were taking advantage of the approaching festive season.

However, the situation was different at a supermarket in the capital and the 1 Malaysia People's Shop (KR1M) in Kelana Jaya where the prices of goods were maintained but the amounts sold were limited per customer.

A supermarket manager who asked to remain anonymous said the high demand for food items during the fasting month forced the imposition of a purchase limit.

Kelana Jaya KR1M manager Mohd Luqman, 40, said the prices of controlled items like cooking oil, sugar and rice remained unchanged and supplies were adequate until Aidilfitri.

“Customers need not worry about shortage of supply at KR1M because we will always add to the stocks from time to time,’ he added. — Bernama