GEORGE TOWN - Prices of vegetables from Cameron Highlands, which dipped in July, are expected to return to “normal” in September when the inter-monsoon rainy weather starts, say farmers in the Malaysian town.

       Mr Lau Weng Soow, deputy president of the Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association, said there was an excess of imported vegetables in July, causing an oversupply.

       He said the weather had been fine for farmers in Cameron Highlands, which produces more than 50 per cent of local vegetables in Malaysia, although the recent three weeks without rain had been worrying.

       Generally, farms reap good harvests during the initial dry spell period because sunny weather helps the greens undergo photosynthesis and grow well. Dry days also reduce outbreaks of mould and aphids.

       “All farms have their own irrigation systems, but we still get worried when the dry season is too long. Farmers who stored water had to conserve and reduce the amount used to maintain the farms,” Mr Lau said.

       Fortunately, he added, the weather had improved so farmers need not use diesel-powered pumps to draw water from rivers or underground, which is costly now due to the removal of a blanket subsidy on diesel.

       Checks with several farmers in the Highlands showed that although the weather and production were returning to normal, they were burdened with the higher costs of transportation due to increased diesel prices.

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       Sunshine Wholesale Mart, which updates its vegetable prices every two days, confirmed that prices are back to normal. “The price fluctuations are caused by demand and supply,” said its marketing communications manager Bryan Wong.

       Meanwhile, prices of fresh flowers in Cameron Highlands are also reported to be stable, but not those supplied by farms and distributors in Penang.

       Flower seller Charles Toh, 66, said there was a 20 per cent increase in the price of his supplies, which came directly from small farms on hills in Penang.

       “The price of my stock has increased several times this year, and I was told that it was due to labour costs, transportation and the recent drought.

       “Flowers supplied by the local distributors around here, which used to cost RM16 (S$4.80) per pack early this year, now cost RM20.

       “Fortunately, I still get some of my supplies from Cameron Highlands and the prices have so far been stable,” he said.

       Another flower seller, who declined to be named, said she is still getting her supply of chrysanthemums and roses from Cameron Highlands at the usual price, but the local distributor is quoting a higher price.

       “We import flowers only during the peak season, otherwise all of my stock comes from Cameron Highlands.

       “Although there hasn’t been any disruption in supply, the local distributor is asking for more as they blame it on the rise in transportation costs,” she said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK