GEORGETOWN - The price of garlic and shallots in Penang has reportedly risen sharply over the past two weeks, with garlic now selling for RM14 per kilogramme, up from RM10.
A trader at the Sungai Ara Public Market Sim Siew Hoom, aged 60, said that previously, she only had to pay RM98 for a sack of garlic, but since last week, she has had to pay over RM100 for a sack of the essential ingredient.
She also revealed that the price of shallots has increased by RM1 per kilogramme, now RM5 per kilogramme.
"The most noticeable increase is in garlic, which has gone up significantly by RM2 to RM4 per kilogramme.
"It's hard to sell at this rate. I buy from wholesalers, and it's expensive, I can't sell cheaply.
"Shallot prices were already high at RM4 per kilogramme, but now it has gone up by another RM1.
"As for dried chilli, I now buy it at RM30 per kilogramme, compared to two months ago when it was RM35 per kilogramme.
"The prices are unpredictable, going up and down, but when they go up, they go really high," she said when met at the Sungai Ara Market yesterday.
She added that the prices of essential items have risen suddenly since the beginning of the year, and she had to explain the situation to her customers.
"It's tough on the customers, but I have no choice because if I sell cheaply, I won't make a profit. But customers understand when I explain the current price situation.
"Whether they like it or not, they have to buy it because they also need to do business," she said.
Meanwhile, Neoh Siew Keat, a grocery store owner in Ayer Itam in his 50s, also acknowledged the significant increase in the prices of garlic and shallots.
"They have indeed gone up, which is why I sell them in small packets, making it easier for my customers to buy.
"I sell them at current prices, even though the profit margin is small," he said.