Vegetable prices expected to stabilise by March next year

TUMPAT: Vegetable prices are expected to stabilise by March next year, after the northeast monsoon season ends, says agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu.

He said that unpredictable weather had reduced the supply of vegetables, leading to price hikes.

“Every monsoon season, this issue arises, and we have received reports indicating a rise in vegetable prices.

“We anticipate that the issue will be resolved by March next year, with the federal agricultural marketing authority playing a key role in ensuring an adequate vegetable supply in the affected states,” he told reporters at the Bunga Raya Area Farmers Organisation today.

Mohamad had earlier distributed Phase 2 of a special cash assistance to 10,628 padi farmers in Kelantan affected by this year’s floods – equivalent to RM6.3 million.

He said initial losses in Kelantan’s agricultural sector due to floods since last month were estimated at RM33.2 million, affecting 4,888 individuals.

“A total of 10,229.12 hectares of agricultural land was impacted, including 9,958.29 hectares of padi fields involving 4,207 farmers, while the remainder comprised fisheries and other crops.

“The agriculture and food security ministry, along with its departments and agencies, remains committed to assisting all affected groups in line with the core value of compassion under Malaysia Madani,” he said.