KUANTAN - Food shop and restaurant owners in Kuantan may have to raise prices if the prices of raw materials continue to rise.
They said that food prices are still being kept the same, even though essential goods have increased in price by 41 to 60 per cent.
Some raw materials, like rice and sugar, have become even more expensive.
Noorazlinda Abdul Razak, who sells mixed rice, says that she can still afford to keep her prices the same for now.
However, she doesn't rule out the possibility of raising prices if essential raw materials continue to increase in price.
She stressed that this is one of the alternatives to be considered rather than continuing to bear the rising operating costs.
"When I raise the selling prices of food, it means I'm not doing it willingly, but due to the increasing cost of goods.
"If I raise prices, I will make sure that the selling prices of food remain reasonable, not suddenly skyrocketing to the detriment of customers," she told Sinar when met yesterday.
Noorazlinda has been in the food business for over 30 years.
She said that customers should understand the challenging situation faced by traders.
She also hopes that the government can address the issue of rising prices, which is burdening the people, especially traders.
"If possible, we want prices like before, it's impossible if we want to follow the current prices of raw materials, everything is expensive," she grumbled.
Suzana Mat Yasim, 57, who has been in the food business for over 20 years, claimed that the increase in the prices of raw materials has been going on for a long time and seems unstoppable.
She says that traders are feeling squeezed and worried about losing customers if they raise food prices.
"If we think about it, we want to raise food prices, but we know that most customers here are from the B40 group.
"If we raise prices, we will have fewer customers. And if we don't raise prices, the profit will remain more or less the same.
"So, whether we like it or not, we have to persevere as long as we can cover our operating costs," she said.
Noraniza Kamsani, 37, also expressed similar sentiments and admitted to being affected by the recent price increase in raw materials.
"However, I have to continue with my business because this is one of our sources of income," she said.
Noraniza said that she has to consider several factors, such as purchasing power, when setting new selling prices.