MIRI: Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism assured that the supply of shallots imported from India was sufficient to meet consumers’ demand.
Zakaria Awang
“Please do not stock up but buy in small quantities for your own consumption,” reminded the ministry’s local enforcement chief Zakaria Awang when speaking to The Borneo Post yesterday.
Although the supply of shallots might not be as big as in previous years, he assured it would be just enough to meet local demands.
In this context, he sought the public’s full support, cooperation and understanding by not going for panic-buying to avoid artificial shortage in the city.
Zakaria also revealed that the current price of shallots in Miri was RM13 per kg compared to RM10 to RM12 per kg before this.
“This is reasonable, taking into view the packaging and shipment problems,” he reasoned.
He also disclosed that wholesalers tend to make losses as not all the shallots are in good condition upon arrival.
“This is because the items rot due to strong heat in the containers.
“Besides, they are not fully matured when they are harvested,” he explained.
Out of 100 sacks of the commodity 80 would be damaged, leaving only 20 good ones, thus leading to wholesalers incurring a great loss, he said.
Zakaria also said the RM13 per kg price was temporary, pending return of normal supply if there is more shipment.
To a question, Zakaria reiterated his assurance that the supply of shallots should be sufficient for the Chinese New Year celebration, saying there should not be any problem as there were many from China to ‘back up’ in the event of shortage.
In previous years, Sarawak as a whole suffered shortage of imported shallots from India, which led to subsequent price hikes of the essential item.
This was caused by many onion farms in India being destroyed by floods.
Then the prolonged inclement weather and rough seas had delayed the shipment to Sarawak, causing about 80 per cent damage to the shallots by the time they arrived here.
On a related matter, Zakaria assured that the supply of cooking oil and sugar would be sufficient for the festive season.
“The situation is stable and the prices maintained,” he said.