Low demand for pricey seafood: Chan arranging fish at his stall at Chowrasta Market in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Consumers are bypassing more expensive seafood at markets for cheaper protein substitutes like chicken.
Fishmonger Chan Kok Seng, 45, said customers were cutting on their expenses even with small changes in prices.
“Many are giving up costly food items such as seafood.
“Whole groupers are RM48 per kg and large Indian mackerel (kembong) have been RM20 per kg for a long time. But premium options or large fish don’t sell as well any more as many customers are opting for smaller portions.
“Instead of buying regularly, they reduce their frequency or take longer to consider if they should spend on it,” he said at Chowrasta Market here.
Tan said he had to reduce his orders from fish wholesalers.
Chicken seller Mohamad Nasir Abdul Kalam, 33, said chicken continues to be high in demand, while complaining he has trouble keeping his prices low.
He said chicken sellers are facing difficulties because of the state government’s ban on slaughtering poultry at markets first implemented two years ago.
“I used to slaughter about 300 chickens daily and got my supply directly from farms to keep the price low.
“Now that we have to get slaughtered chickens from vendors, their prices have increased to RM9.40 per bird.
“The easier access to slaughtered chicken meant more stalls could open and compete with us, hence I only sell about 150 chickens daily now,” he said.
The Penang government said the ban was imposed to reduce pollution from chicken blood being poured into public drains, and to improve hygiene in markets.
Vegetable seller Koe Swee Hin, 77, who is a third-generation trader at the market, said he is grateful that regulars still patronise his stall.
“People are cutting back on non-essential spending due to the drastic rise in costs. Prices for the vegetables I get from Cameron Highlands have also increased by 10% to 20%.
“Customers are buying less now due to their reduced income and higher commitments,” he added.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said with everyone buying less, the association hopes this would also reduce food wastage.
“Yes, traders have responded that everyone is buying less and we are seeing less food wastage.
“Some consumers have even resorted to cooking enough for a few meals so that they can store and reheat it when needed.
“To save on costs, consider looking for cheaper alternatives to meat or vegetables that are still nutritious, or those raised and grown locally instead of being imported,” he added.
