Haze drives up demand for bottled water, health products in Kuching

KUCHING, Sept 3 — The haze has led to a surge in demand for bottled water and health-related products at local supermarkets, prompting some retailers to increase their stock levels, according to the Borneo Post. Farley Kuching's drinks department supervisor, Nelson Ting, noted that bottled water sales have increased significantly since the haze began, with the supermarket having to restock the product twice a week due to heightened demand.

This increased demand has not resulted in any shortages, and Ting confirmed that Farley still has sufficient stock available. Ting explained that customers were seeking out beverages with cooling properties, such as coconut water, coconut juice, and Chinese herbal tea, in response to the heat caused by the haze.

In addition to beverages, Ting observed an increase in demand for health and protective products, including Panadol medicine and face masks. He advised the public to take precautions and prioritize their health during the haze, recommending the consumption of ample water and the use of protective measures like wearing masks.

Emart Batu Kawa branch division head of grocery, Danny Lau Yu Chai, reported a similar increase in demand for bottled drinking water at his supermarket, with restocking occurring between two and three times a week. Lau expressed concern over the potential shortage of drinking water from the end of October onwards if the El Nino dry conditions persist.

He also highlighted an uptick in sales of health and protective products, such as face masks, vitamin C gummies, cough drops, Panadol, and Cool Fever products. Furthermore, there has been an increase in demand for fruits like pears, oranges, and watermelons due to their perceived health benefits, particularly their high vitamin C content.