Mandarin oranges to cost 30% more

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KOTA KINABALU: The prices of mandarin oranges are expected to be at least 30 per cent higher this year compared to last year.

However, the size S mandarin oranges will only see a price hike of 10 per cent while size M and L will cost around 30 per cent more as supply has declined.

Lo, owner of Lo Siew Lin Sdn Bhd which imports fresh fruits, vegetables and foodstuffs, said inflation, increasing workers’ salaries and weak Malaysian currency had driven up the prices of mandarin oranges.

He said the cost incurred in importing mandarin oranges included workers’ wages, logistics, shipping and packaging.

Lo said he had imported a few containers of mandarin oranges, which would be distributed around three weeks before Chinese New Year (CNY).

“Supermarkets and retailers will be displaying their stock of mandarin oranges in the last three weeks before CNY as sales is going to pick up then.

“Mandarin oranges will rot if retailers take them out too soon,” he explained.