KUALA LUMPUR: Consumers at the popular Chow Kit Market say they are feeling the pinch from higher prices of essentials as Ramadan begins.
Several visitors to the market told the New Straits Times that prices of meat, spices, and seafood among others have increased.
'Previously, meat was around RM32 per kg, now it's around RM38. Vegetable prices have also slightly increased," said Amiera Nadia, 24, adding the price of spices has also increased.
Wan Nasrun, 70, shared similar sentiments.
"Squid used to be RM25 per kg years ago, now I buy it for around RM34 per kg. The price of Pomfret was RM18, now it's RM22," he said.
Zainal Abidin Hashin, 58, said a few months ago, he could the visit market with just RM100.
Now, it's not enough, he said.
Another shopper who only wanted to be known as Syuhada, 27, said prices vary between stores.
"Some prices have gone up, and some have gone down, it depends on the store.
"Fruits and vegetables may be a bit cheaper depending on the stock, but when they're in high demand, they become expensive," she added.
Traders at the market say they are struggling to balance soaring costs and maintaining prices.
"We cannot increase prices because we don't want to burden the buyers," said Sulaiman Mahdin, 63, a butcher.
"We try to maintain the price of meat even though there has been a significant increase in the (suppliers') prices," he said.
Muhammad Safwan, 26, a chili and spice trader, observes a surge in demand for staple Ramadan ingredients.
"The demand for chili and 'kerisik', two of the most in-demand items for Ramadan, has increased," he said.
"Chili, for example, was RM3.80 last year, now it's RM4.60," he said.