KL wholesale market to re-open tomorrow

Back to trading: Wholesalers at the market in Kuala Lumpur can open their stalls under the orders of the National Security Council after being shuttered for two days.

PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Batu Caves, which recently saw Covid-19 cases among several traders and their workers, will re-open tomorrow after being ordered to close for two days.

A notice by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) stated that the market would only re-open at noon under the orders of the National Security Council.

It was learnt that the traders were told by DBKL on Saturday that they would no longer be allowed to employ foreign workers until further notice.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association vice-president Chong Tek Keong said the Covid-19 cases at the market caused over half of its 216 members to suspend trading.

With a large number of wholesalers unable to work, he said wholesale prices of vegetables shot up by between 20% and 30% with a drop in supply to grocery stores.

As “middlemen” between farmers and retailers, wholesalers at the market supply fresh vegetables to retailers such as in the Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan and Kuantan.

“The price of leafy vegetables has increased by more than 50%.

“Previously, mustard greens were sold at RM1 per kg but went up to RM3 per kg, ” Chong said.

Starting earlier this month, all wholesalers and their workers at the market were instructed to go for Covid-19 screening and undergo self-quarantine for 14 days as a precaution even if they were negative.

Chong said the screening was done in batches and those who took the test closed shop while undergoing quarantine, leaving the market with fewer stalls operating.

He said despite farms still producing vegetables, wholesalers were unable to increase their supply due to the lack of customers, limited operating hours and reduced manpower for each stall.

Wet market traders, who make up 60% of the wholesalers’ customer base, could no longer work during the MCO.

The wholesalers are now restricted to operating shorter hours four days per week, instead of seven days, and are only allowed three workers per stall.

“Previously, we could sell 10 tonnes per day but now, it is only about four tonnes, ” Chong added.

Federation of Vegetable Growers Association Malaysia secretary-general Chay Ee Mong said the government’s directive to bar foreigners from working at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market was a setback.

“Only locals will be allowed but they are difficult to get. More stalls will be affected, ” he said.

Chay said that last month, growers had to dump most of their produce due to their inability to sell to wholesalers.

“Wholesalers cannot buy a lot from us because they have fewer customers, forcing us to dump the produce if they can’t sell, ” he said.

From the growers’ side, Chay said the situation was more manageable as NGOs and e-commerce websites had stepped in to help sell their produce.

“There is also less dumping now because growers are also donating their fresh produce to charitable bodies and other groups, ” he said, adding that most of the 6,000 members were still working during the MCO.

Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has assured the people of sufficient vegetable supply in the country.

Based on its enforcement division’s monitoring on Friday, the availability of vegetables in the market was at 89.29%.

“The division conducts checks on prices and supply of goods. Vegetable supplies are enough and prices stable, ” a ministry official told The Star. - Star