KUALA LUMPUR: Average retail prices for November 2010 showed an increasing trend but remained stable for all groups of goods compared to the previous month, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry says.
In a statement yesterday, it said the change in national average retail prices in November between 0.09 per cent and 10.19 per cent was small and normal.
From 100 selected types of goods, 60 showed increases, 24 registered decreases while 16 were unchanged.
Five types of goods that showed highest increases in November were tomato (10.19 per cent), cucumber (7.6 per cent), imported mutton without bones (5.76 per cent), long cabbage (5.71 per cent) and long bean (5.68 per cent).
The increase in tomato prices was due to its quality and high demand during Deepavali celebrations, the ministry said.
It said vegetable groups of fruit and bean types also showed price increases because of disruptions particularly of local supply due to high rainfall in cultivation areas.
Imported mutton without bones showed an increase because of supply shortages in Australia.
Five types of goods that showed biggest decreases in November were tamban beluru fish (8.01 per cent), green spinach (5.26 per cent), Chinese water spinach (5.13 per cent), mustard greens (5.0 per cent) and imported tenggiri papan fish (3.95 per cent).
The decrease in tamban beluru prices was due to lack of demand and a 45.18 per cent increase in landing in October 2010.
The decrease in leafy vegetable prices was due to normalisation after an increase in the previous month and competition from vegetables imported from Thailand.
Among necessity items whose prices did not change were local beef, coarse white sugar, ‘Helang’ blend palm cooking oil and ‘Buruh’ refined palm cooking oil. — Bernama