Quick run: Shoppers stocking up on groceries at the Mydin hypermarket in USJ in preparation for Ramadan. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The prices of goods continue to be at the top of the minds of many Muslims as they prepare to stock up their groceries for Ramadan.
Checks at a few hypermarkets around the Klang Valley showed many shopping for groceries to prepare for the fasting month.
Operations assistant Hafiz Helmi, 35, said having sufficient rice is a priority, adding that his family prefers local white rice.
“Things are expensive and I have to either do side jobs or overtime to ensure I have enough to spend on groceries.
“But the grocery expenditure will be a bit less as I will be breaking fast at my workplace,” said Hafiz, who was with his wife Hanis Ahmad Sukri, 30, and their child at a supermarket.
Hanis said they will ensure no food is discarded, adding that leftovers will be heated up for the next day.
For housewife Noraireena Zainuddin, 42, shopping for groceries is a balancing act between choosing the right brand and the right price.
“As my children prefer chicken, I buy a whole chicken, as parts are more expensive. I’ll then cut it into smaller pieces so there is no wastage.
“Every week, we spend RM100 on chicken and fish alone, and we are just a small family with three young children.
“And we have to budget for vegetables and other groceries too.
“As for rice, I would go for fragrant rice because it is cheaper than imported rice and tastes good.
“Shopping is not just about going into a supermarket and grabbing what you want. I’m constantly on the watch for cheaper products,” said Noraireena, who quit her job as an executive after delivering her third child.
Her husband Zulkifli Zakaria, 43, who works in the oil and gas industry, said he keeps a tight leash on grocery spending as prices have increased.
“It takes a big chunk of our budget and we have to watch our spending,” he said.
Masfawafidah Abdullah, 52, a retiree from the private sector with two college-going children, said she prefers basmati rice for health purposes.
“I used to buy cheaper local white rice and spent more on vegetables, fish and chicken. But now, I have cut down on other expenditures and bought basmati rice.
“My children are not at home most of the time and it is just me and my husband.
“Yet, we feel the pinch as the prices of fish and chicken have gone up, not to mention the big increase in vegetable prices.
“If I were to buy vegetables such as cauliflower, I’ll buy them when there is a sale.
“I love Japanese cucumber but they cost as much as RM9 per kg. I just have to make do with our local cucumber, which is one-third of that price.
“I used to have a preference for brands when buying detergents. Now, I would compare prices and see which is cheaper,” said Masfawafidah.
For factory workers Siti Fatimah Mat Khairuddin, 30, and Mohd Nor Syah Mohd Saadon, 37, buying in bulk saves money.
“I bought two 10kg packets of imported white rice as I do not know if the prices would increase later.
“The difference is only RM1 compared with the local white rice and it tastes better.
“This trolley of cooking oil, diapers and rice with a few other essentials already came up to nearly RM500.
“With Hari Raya coming, that is another added stress for us,” said Siti Fatimah.
