Rozita (right) has no plans to increase the prices of her dishes as of now despite having to pay more for raw ingredients. — Photos: ZAZALI MUSA/The Star
FOOD operators in Johor Baru dealing with the high prices of raw ingredients want the issue to be addressed to help them make ends meet.
Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association (Perusim) secretary Hussien Ibrahim said although prices of chicken stabilised after the government lifted price controls on Nov 1, three more months was needed to see the long-term impact.
He said Malaysian consumers were price-sensitive and they might eat out less if food operators increased their prices.
“We may end up maintaining our current prices but reducing the portions served,” he said.
Mahnum did not increase the price of her kuih baulu but reduced the quantity per box.Dapur Bonda Rozita owner Rozita Ramli, who runs a stall selling Malay-style mixed rice at Jalan Cermat Hawker Centre in Taman Maju Jaya, has no plans to increase the prices.
“While the prices of chicken stabilised early this month, the same does not apply to vegetables and rice,” she said.
Rozita said the price of leafy vegetables such as Chinese pak choy increased from RM3 per kg to RM4.50, spinach to RM4.50 per kg from RM2, kangkung from RM2.50 to RM4.50 per kg and fresh red chilies from RM10 to RM11 per kg.
“Prices of greens are expected to increase during the north-east monsoon which could cause flooding in vegetable farms in Johor and Pahang,” she said.
Rozita said prices of seafood had stabilised for now but they would normally increase, especially for prawns and pomfret over the weeks leading to Chinese New Year next year.
Mahanoum Baulu proprietor Mahnum Abd Rahman hoped the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry would conduct regular inspections to ensure a consistent supply of sugar and eggs.
“The authorities keep saying there is enough supply of sugar and eggs in the country but the reality is different.”
Mahnum said getting the two items was not easy as wholesalers had their own set prices.
For instance, those who bought sugar in bulk have to buy certain packets of coarse sugar at RM2.83 per kg in order to buy the premium refined sugar at RM4.50 per kg.
“Buying eggs is like buying commodities. You have to hedge before getting the amount you need but it does not guarantee you will get a supply.”She said bulk buyers like her who used sugar and eggs worth RM732 and RM2,225 weekly were at the mercy of wholesalers.Mahnum has maintained the price of her kuih baulu at RM12 per container but reduced to 40 pieces from 45 previously.
