Kundasang greens are costlier
Published on: Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: A three-fold increase in the cost of transport has triggered a significant rise in vegetable prices in Kundasang and made it even higher elsewhere in Sabah. Transporters are charging between RM300 and RM350 from RM100 at present after the main connecting bridge in Kundasang's Mentoki Mesilou to town was damaged in the July 5 earthquake, aftershocks and mudflood.
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Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry's Tuaran Chief Robert Takom on Tuesday said they are forced to use a longer and tougher access road which leads to the main road to town to replenish supplies in the market. Mesilou supplies 60 per cent of the vegetables to Kundasang and is also a major source of supply to wholesalers from other districts. A Bailey bridge is still being assembled by contractors to replace the damaged bridge that connects the Mesilou agriculture area to Kundasang. "Based on our report the wholesale prices of several types of vegetables have increased, and thus, directly caused the prices of vegetables in areas like the city to also rise," he told the Daily Express, here.
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"Generally, the prices of vegetables from the earthquake affected areas have increased or have become unstable," he added. The price of round and long cabbages has increased RM1.60 to RM180 per kg from 80 sen to RM1 previously, while the price of tomatoes from RM1.50 per kg to RM2 to RM2.50.
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Another factor causing the spike is also due to the shortage of manpower and the lower yields of farmers due to the Hari Raya festivities, Takom pointed out. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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