Guan Li Fishes Trading employee Arman Md Jamil manning the fish stall at KIP Mart Tampoi in Johor Baru.
CONSUMERS in Johor have to fork out extra money to consume seafood during the ongoing northeast monsoon season.
According to the Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), the northeast monsoon which started on Nov 7, 2022 will last until March 2023.
Guan Li Fishes Trading proprietor Hong Kwek Meng said apart from the weather phenomena, demand and supply factors also contributed to the hike in prices of seafood.
“It is a yearly affair and the majority of our consumers are prepared for it,’’ he said when met at his fish stall at KIP Mart Tampoi, Johor Baru.
Hong, who has been operating the business for 17 years at the hypermarket, said only 10 types of fishes were on sale during the monsoon period from November to March.
“Outside the monsoon period –from June to October – there are more than 30 types of fishes available,” he added.
Hong said ikan kembong (Indian mackerel) was priced between RM16 and RM18 per kg now compared to RM13 per kg in October.
Phua (left) attending to a customer at his vegetable stall at the Perling temporary market. — Photos: ZAZALI MUSA/The Star
“Siakap (seabass) is selling at RM18 per kg from RM15 per kg previously and cuttlefish is up from RM27 to RM30 per kg,’’ he said.
Kong said the price of smaller fish species like ikan selar kuning (yellowstrap scad) had now gone up from RM3 to RM6 per kg.
He said when the price of selar kuning was at RM3 per kg, customers normally bought between 3kg and 5kg. However, with the RM6 per kg price tag, they tend to buy below three kilos.
“The price of medium-sized prawns harvested in prawn farms has stabilised at RM27 per kg but consumers have to pay RM60 per kg for sea prawns,” Kong added.
Ming Hui Tani Trading proprietor Phua Ming Hui said prices of most vegetables had stabilised beginning October, except for three types of vegetables.
The price of tomatoes had gone up from RM4.50 per kg to RM7 per kg, bittergourd from RM10 to RM12 per kg, and coriander leaves from RM35 to RM48 per kg, he said.
“Demand for tomatoes and coriander leaves is increasing with Christmas around the corner,’’ said Phua when met at the Perling temporary market.
He said fresh red chillies were now selling for RM15 per kg from RM18 previously and spinach was down to RM8 per kg from RM9.
Phua said prices of vegetables that had stabilised included ladies’ fingers and brinjal at RM12 per kg, pak choy and kangkong at RM8 per kg and round cabbage at RM6 per kg.
