When humble curry leaves become a luxury

 

CURRY leaves (pic) are now considered a valuable item in local markets and retail traders in Penang, following a drastic price increase, Kosmo! reported.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said based on surveys at several premises, there was a stark increase in price, bringing it up to RM15 per kg.

He said usually the leaves, which are used as a cooking ingredient, were given out for free by vegetable or coconut milk traders.

“Our survey found that small quantities of curry leaves are being sold at 50 sen to RM1 per bundle.“Several coconut milk traders told us that they no longer give it out for free to customers due to the price hike,” he said.

As such, he urged consumers to grow the curry trees themselves at home, which will help them to cut costs.

A vegetable seller from the Barat Day public market, Izam Abd Hamid, 42, said it has been two weeks since he last received his stock of curry leaves, which are usually delivered by Bangladeshi suppliers.

“Usually, they will bring two sacks to the market and distribute them to the vegetable traders here.

“We are not sure why this has happened. I usually buy them at RM8 per kg. I don’t sell in large quantities, only 15 to 18 stalks (per bundle) at 50 sen,” he said.

> While everyone is still in bed, cobbler Shahidin Ramli, 55, is already open for business, operating from a humble store along Jalan Rani Estate in Arau, Perlis.

The bachelor has been a cobbler for the past 20 years, working from 10pm until 6am and earning around RM50 to RM60 a day.

Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, Shahidin said he still gets customers, usually those from a nearby university, to repair their futsal shoes.

Originally operating in Bukit Keteri, Shahidin moved to Jalan Rani Estate in 2015.

“My income is enough for me and my mother, who is now 76 years old.

“Mending or sewing shoes at night is more comfortable as all my customers are aware I will be open until 6am,” he said.

However, Shahidin said that in recent times his income has become uncertain, with days where he went home empty-handed. - Star