Bad weather in neighbouring countries have hit the import prices of some vegetables hard, said some importers in Singapore. They told The New Paper that they have seen a dramatic increase in the import prices since last week.
Vegetables imports from Malaysia and Thailand now cost more. For example, the owner of Sheng Cai Vegetable Supplier, Mr Lim Lian Chai, has seen the price of coriander nearly triple.
Prices of celery and spring onion have also increased by 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively.
Said Mr Lim: "A kilogram of coriander used to cost about $5 or $6, now it is about $15 a kg. (Vegetables) with sensitive roots, such as bok choy, more badly affected by the waterlogged soil in Malaysia."
The price of the Japanese cucumber has seen a 50 per cent jump, while prices of French beans and coriander have gone up by 70 per cent and about 60 per cent respectively, said Mr Tan.
Despite the price increase, a spokesman for NTUC FairPrice told TNP: "The bad weather has not caused any significant change in the prices of vegetables at our supermarkets."
source: tnp.sg