KUALA LUMPUR: The price of chicken has soared during Ramadan and the situation is expected to remain the same until Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
A street check at Chow Kit Market found that most traders acknowledged the price increase and said this occurred every year without fail.
Chicken trader Iwan Rashin said before the fasting month, chicken price per kilogram was fixed at RM7.50 but now it was RM8 per kilogram.
“Every Ramadan the price of chicken increases due to the high demand from customers. However, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) had fixed the price so we cannot simply raise the price without their permission.
“However, to this day KPDNKK has not given any standardised price to the traders,” he said.
Meanwhile, red chilli price fell from the normal price sold before Ramadan which was RM6 per kg to RM4 per kg.
The price of some vegetables had reduced and some remained the same.
But the price of mustard leaves (sawi) had risen from RM2.50 to RM5 per kilogram.
Safril Haris, who is a vegetable trader, said so far the supplier had given him a fair price and he had been selling vegetables at a fixed price.
“The vegetables I get are still at a controlled price and suppliers always provide enough for me every Ramadan and Aidilfitri,” he said.
Grated coconut is also among the high demand products every Ramadan and the price remains at RM7 per kilo. Coconuts cost between RM2.20 and RM2.50 each.
Fish was still being sold at pre Ramadan prices. Only bullet tuna (tongkol) rose from RM6 to RM 7 per kilogram as well as sardine from RM 6 to RM8 per kilogram.
Trader Husni Sudar said demand for fish was not that high compared to chicken and beef.
“Whether it is Ramadan or not, the price of fish is still the same. Anyhow for bullet tuna and sardines, prices usually go up in the holy month as many Ramadan bazaar traders seek these two types of fish,” he said.
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KEYWORDS: price of chicken, soared, Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, street check, Chow Kit Market vegetables