Hike in prices of flour-based food at Ramadan bazaars, says group

The Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) has detected an increase in prices for flour-based food, especially ‘kuih-muih’ (sweet or savoury snacks) sold at Ramadan bazaars in the state this year.

Its secretary Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff said since the bazaars started operating on the first day of Ramadan on April 3, Cake has received several complaints from consumers about the increase in food prices.

“The prices of chicken, eggs, cooking oil, canned milk, and flour have risen sharply in the past and that has forced traders to raise the prices of food sold at the bazaar.

“If we notice, last year many traders sold traditional ‘kuih-muih’ at the Ramadan bazaars but there are not that many this year as the price of flour has gone up and the supply is low,” he added.

He was conducting checks at the Ramadan bazaar in Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar yesterday.

He said the situation caused many traders to sell other types of dishes to avoid receiving complaints from the public.

Yusrizal said apart from kuih-related complaints, the association also received complaints about the increase in the price of chicken and canned milk-based dishes.

“Every Ramadan, ayam golek and ayam percik become dishes sought by the public. However, now the chicken is sold up to RM30 each so it is quite burdensome for those who want to buy,” he added.

A trader at the bazaar, Zulanizan Zakaria, 38, said he had to increase the price of his tepung pelita kuih to cover the rising cost of goods.

However, he is grateful that customers understand the situation and the response has been very good despite being slightly pricier.

“Thus far, I received many orders and during this Ramadan, I am able to sell 4,000 pieces of tepung pelita daily. The supply of flour is adequate and not a problem as I buy in large quantities from wholesalers," he said.

- Bernama