No spike in PJ wet market prices yet despite Iran conflict

 Vendors say prices remain unchanged overall, with chicken and eggs cheaper, despite concerns over the US-Iran war.

Traders in Petaling Jaya say rising costs, including for fuel, packaging and supply, could eventually lead to higher prices for consumers.

PETALING JAYA:

 Prices of raw ingredients at wet markets have remained largely stable, with items such as poultry and eggs selling cheaper despite concerns over the ongoing West Asia conflict.

FMT surveyed three wet markets in Petaling Jaya and found no widespread increase in prices for vegetables, fish, meat and eggs, with most traders reporting that prices have stayed the same in recent weeks.

Some sellers, however, warned that prices could rise in the coming weeks, as higher costs begin to filter through the supply chain.

At the PJ Old Town wet market, vegetable seller Mageswari, 52, said prices have held, but expects changes soon.

“Next week,” she said, adding that the prices for chillies and tomatoes were unchanged, with tomatoes going for RM2 per kg.

However, she said that rising costs have already affected her business, with plastic packaging now costing between RM55 and RM60 per bundle, up from RM40 previously.

Beef seller Zamri, 59, also said costs have risen, although he has yet to pass them on to customers.

“Previously, I would buy (an entire beef carcass) for around RM25, now it’s RM28,” he said.

Recently, several reports have warned of potential rises in the price of basic goods in Malaysia amid concerns of surging oil prices following the war in West Asia.

On Monday, New Straits Times quoted Cameron Highlands Malay Farmers Association chairman Syed Abd Rahman Syed Abd Rashid as anticipating a vegetable price hike within the next week or two.

Malaysia relies on imports for over 60% of its food needs, sourced mainly from Thailand, China, Indonesia and India. However, the country is self-sufficient in poultry and eggs.

Day-to-day food prices steady

Fishmongers also reported stable prices, with no immediate impact from the conflict.

“At the moment, it’s still the same,” said Hamadi, 45, adding that fish continues to sell at around RM25 per kg.

Chicken prices, meanwhile, have declined slightly, according to traders.

Poultry seller Elizabeth, 58, said prices have fallen from RM11 per kg last month to RM10 this month.

At the Section 17 wet market, 50-year-old egg vendor, Loke, said there has been no increase in prices so far, with a tray of ten eggs costing RM5.50 on the average.

Another trader, Chan, 48, said vegetable prices have remained stable over the past two weeks, although costs have increased.

“The cost of plastic alone has increased by 30%,” she said, adding that she expected prices to rise further in the coming weeks.

At the Sea Park wet market, pork seller Alan, 40, said prices have remained steady at about RM30 per kg, with no impact from the conflict so far.

While prices remain stable for now, traders across markets said the rising cost of fuel, packaging and supply expenses could lead to higher prices for consumers soon. - FMT