KUCHING: The price of red onions experienced a significant hike nationwide due to shortages caused by floods in key onion-growing areas of India.
Since most of Malaysia’s supplies for red onions are imported from India, the price of red onions in Sarawak is expected to increase as well.
New Sarawak Tribune scouted and observed local supermarket chains, grocers’ shops, and wet markets to discover that not only the price of red onions has increased, but stocks and supplies for it have plummeted as well.
The price of red onions in supermarket chains and grocer’s shop increased around 35 to 40 per cent to RM12-RM13 per kilogramme while some have run out of stock completely and are waiting indefinitely for supplies to arrive.
Wet markets have a much higher price up to RM15 per kilogramme— greengrocer Siaw Lin, 47, explained supplies are limited and very expensive.
“We spent a lot to purchase red onions from our suppliers and we have to sell it at an increased price just to make ends meet,” said Siaw.
Siaw added most greengrocers are refusing to sell red onions for the time being hence making it difficult for consumers to purchase.
Liew Foong Chin, 54, a greengrocer, said the price of red onion purchased from suppliers is the most expensive it has ever been in a while.
“I used to be able to purchase red onions at around RM30 per sack of about 8 kilogrammes at its lowest price,” she said.
“Now I have to pay RM130 for the same amount, and I have to purchase it for the sake of my loyal customers,” she added.
A customer, Norhafidah Abdurahim, 25, said she is already burdened by the high price of red onions.
“I was quite surprised to see that the price of red onions increased by this much, this would greatly affect a lot of people including myself who cooks with it on a daily basis.”
Norhafidah also mentioned she had difficulties finding red onions in local supermarkets and wet markets.
According to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), the price of red onions is expected to go down in February.
