Prices of wet goods such as vegetables and fish rose considerably in Kedah last week as a result of the floods in Thailand.

Kedah Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) director, Mohd Sakri Saleh said wholesalers had raised their prices forcing retailers to pass on the increase to consumers.

“Prices of items such as red chilli and mustard (sawi) had risen sharply last Saturday on Hari Raya Aidiladha eve. Studies by KPDNKK found the increase started at the wholesaler level.

“About 20 percent of the supply brought in from Thailand were spoilt because the vegetables have been stranded in the stores affected by floods in Thailand and wholesalers make up for their losses by increasing their prices,” he told reporters after a meeting of the Association of Action on Prices of Goods with the Agricultural Department, Fisheries Development Authority, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, National Padi and Rice Authority, Veterinary Department and Malaysian Palm Oil Board in Alor Setar yesterday.

According to Mohd Sakri, Malaysia imported 70 percent of its fresh vegetables from Thailand. However, prices of fish have not risen significantly as only 10 percent of the imports come from Thailand.  

He said prices of vegetables were expected to return to normal level in two weeks as Fama had given its assurance of importing chili and vegetables from China to meet the demand.

On actions against errant traders for raising prices, Mohd Sakri said KPDNKK felt the price hike had not been extreme even though they could face action under the Price Control and Anti-profiteering Act 2011.       

- Bernama