Heat takes toll on vegetable supply and sale

BY NURIN PATRA

KUCHING: Local vegetable vendors are grappling with challenges that are affecting both supply and sales in the prevailing hot weather.

Pensioner Leo Situ Malong, 72, now a vegetable vendor at Medan Niaga Satok said the soaring temperatures have affected the supply chain as many vendors rely on produce from nearby villages.

Leo taking a photo with his forest products such as “Daun Pucuk Ubi” on display.

But the hot weather has reduced the availability of fresh vegetables.

“The heat not only discourages labourers from working but also hampers crop growth, leading to lower production levels,” he said to New Sarawak Tribune.

As to whether there has been a price drop due to the heat and vegetables wilting easily, he said prices remained stable as of now.

“Sometimes vegetable prices spike. I specialise mostly in forest products sourced from regular suppliers.

“Some items, like galangal, turmeric, and ginger, are prone to price hikes, but green vegetables remain at the same price despite being offered in smaller bundles,” he said.

However, there is a concern that prices could rise if the situation persists, as wilting vegetables might become less appealing to buyers.

“Yes, it has been affected. My sales were good before, but they have now decreased by 50 per cent since Hari Raya Haji,” he said, noting that the current heatwave has persisted for over two weeks, causing sales to drop as customers buy less.

He said in order to maintain vegetable freshness, he resorts to buying ice cubes to keep them fresh for up to three days, and any unsold produce is either consumed by him or given away free to loyal customers.

He hopes the weather returns to normal so that people can work comfortably, crops will thrive, and supply will increase, possibly leading to much lower prices.

“My hope for fellow vendors is to sell what is needed just to exchange for food and gas. Don’t worry too much, because this is our daily task.

“We are doing something for the people, for the buyers. Without buyers, it would be difficult. Buyers and sellers need each other,” said Leo.

Meanwhile Lim Gin Fah, 68, described the weather as “unbearable,” noting that even a fan offers little relief as it also leads to rapid wilting of her fresh vegetables, forcing her to spray them frequently, although the water evaporates quickly.

Lim arranging the price tags on her vegetables.

“The vegetables that wilt fast, makes them look less fresh, less eye-pleasing. Hence, it is harder to attract buyers. Even with regular watering, they wilt by around 10am,” she explained.

In order to avoid the vegetables becoming less appealing, she has reduced her prices from RM2 per bundle to three bundles for RM5.

“There aren’t many people around, so I had to sell them cheaper. Later in the day, around 11am or 12pm, no one comes to the market to buy vegetables as it gets hotter,” she said.

She added that the quantity of vegetables delivered has decreased from two baskets to one due to the current conditions.

“Selling vegetables is tough right now, so I don’t take too many because it’s hard to keep them fresh in this heat. The leaves get damaged easily,” she said.

Nur taking a photo showing her vegetables produce.

Another vegetable vendor Nur Irina, 56, also agreed that the heat today is intense, and that it is impacting her sales.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has put out a Level 1 hot weather alert over eight areas namely Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, Lubuk Antu, Kapit, Sibu, Marudi and Telang Usan, updating this status on Tuesday (July 30) at 6am.

According to the MetMalaysia draught monitoring report, the country is currently experiencing the Southwest Monsoon season, which began on May 17 and is expected to end in mid-September.