Prices of sea food in Kelantan rise during Ramadan

KOTA BARU: The prices of several wet items, especially fresh seafood have increased in Kelantan during Ramadan, believed to be due to lack of supply.
Checks by Bernama at several markets around Kota Baru found that squids were sold at RM25 per kg compared to RM20 before the fasting month, shrimp at RM36 per kg (compared to RM34), and beef went up RM4, to RM32 per kg.
Meanwhile, imported meat remained at RM22 and poultry was sold at between RM7 to RM7.50 per kg.
Seafood trader, Zainal Abidin, 57, said the price hike was inevitable, as traders themselves got their supplies at higher prices.
"The price of squids purchased from suppliers has increased to RM20 or RM22 per kg compared to RM18 and RM20 before the fasting month. I had to raise the price a little to remain profitable.
"The rise in the price of seafood is probably because many fishermen do not go to sea during Ramadan, coupled with the unpredictable weather at the moment," he said when met by Bernama at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah here, today.
Zainal said he would, however, reduce the selling price of seafood if the suppliers did the same.
Meanwhile, private sector employee Hafizan Ramli, 32, said the price increase had undoubtedly burdened consumers, especially during the month of Ramadan.
He also hoped that the matter did not drag on and urged the relevant parties to implement price controls.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry director Datuk Ab Ghani Harun said the ministry was aware of the price increase in several places at the moment.
He said the rise could be due to difficulties in obtaining supplies of seafood, in addition to high demand from consumers.
"The increase in price is between RM1 and RM2 per item, and we would also like to remind traders not to profiteer, or they could face legal action," he said. — Bernama