Fuziah warns traders against indiscriminate vegetable price hikes
SHAH ALAM: Action will be taken against vegetable traders who raise prices indiscriminately during the current heatwave, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh has warned vegetable traders against raising prices arbitrarily during the ongoing heatwave. The Malaysian government is closely monitoring prices to prevent consumers from being burdened, particularly for essential goods like vegetables. However, she noted that weather conditions can cause fluctuations in produce prices.
Dr Fuziah made these remarks after launching the 2026 Pasar Patuh Programme, which addresses concerns about potential price hikes in vegetables and spices due to the heatwave and the El Niño phenomenon. This weather pattern is expected to bring hotter and drier conditions than usual, potentially lasting until early 2027. Industry players have expressed concerns about how El Niño could impact the agricultural sector.
The Federation of Vegetable Farmers Associations Malaysia president, Lim Ser Kwee, previously warned that water shortages could lead to increased costs for farmers, including irrigation, electricity, diesel, and pest control. These rising expenses could strain the local supply of vegetables.
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