Johor Farmers Dump Vegetables Due To “Low Prices”, But Consumers Are Still Paying Top Prices To Retailers

Farmers are demanding the government take necessary measures to protect their livelihood by imposing a minimum price.

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Farmers dumped freshly harvested vegetables in Labis, Johor as after prices fell below cost.

According to one of the affected farmers, CK Pang, the vegetables had to be thrown away due to the drastic drop in prices caused by overproduction.

Irked by the low prices, he dumped a huge pile of ladies fingers which he claims are worth less than a ringgit per kilo now (farmers’ price).

The dumping was recorded and uploaded to social media.

Pang said farmers are demanding authorities take necessary measures to set minimum prices for the produce.

Farmers would not be able cover their cost with the low prices. It would be cheaper to throw the vegetables away than to pack it for sale.
CK Pang on why farmers would rather left mountains of vegetables to rot.

Initially, Pang had offered to give it away free, and people just had to collect it from his farm.

However, he updated today (8 February) that the vegetables are starting to rot, and are no longer fit for consumption.

When Vegetables Cost More Than Meat

The farmers’ predicament drew the attention of netizens.

They pointed out the price difference between what the farmers get for their produce, and how much consumers had to pay the retailers.

Granted, the increase of logistics costs and production costs had to be factored in for the retail price.

But the difference in what the farmers get and what the consumers pay can be substantial.

Facebook user Goon Chin Choy claimed ladies fingers are currently sold at RM3.50 per 200g at a supermarket in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

Goon Chin Choy uploaded a photo of the ladies fingers he bought in Kota Bharu. (Source: Facebook)

The price of ladies fingers as advertised by an online market. (Source: Pasar Segar)

Ladies finger as sold by Aeon. (Source: Aeon)

Others pointed out that agricultural workers, who are mostly foreigners, would run away if they are not paid on time.

They said the farmers would have a problem even after the prices recovered, as it is hard to get foreign workers these days.

The Negative Effects Of Price Control

Cameron Highlands’ Vegetable Farmers Organisation president Datuk Chai Kok Lim said price controls are dampening agricultural investment and growth.

At the same time, it also worsens the livelihood of farmers.

In agriculture, prices are subject to strong fluctuations, while the production cost, such as fertilizers, has gone up tremendously.
Cameron Highlands’ Vegetable Farmers Organisation president Datuk Chai Kok Lim to TRP on the risks faced by farmers.

Citing examples of price fluctuation, he said yau mak (romaine lettuce) can fetch the farmers RM8 per kg but is not more than RM1.50 per kg recently.

Even then, consumers still have to pay top dollar for the greens.

The current online of price of yau mak. (Source: Shopee)

He said the farmers ought to be paid a minimum for their produce, which is guaranteed by the government.

Chai said it is only fair as the government puts a ceiling price when demand is much more than supply.

Citing the current chicken price fiasco, he warned that a time will come when vegetables will be so expensive due to a drastic drop in produce.

A farming village in Cameron Highlands. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

Farmers will not run a losing business just so that the government can appease the rakyat by keeping prices artificially low. The farmers will die financially.
Cameron Highlands’ Vegetable Farmers Organisation president Datuk Chai Kok Lim to TRP on why price control is killing the nation.

He added that farmers in Cameron Highlands do not have to dump vegetables, for now.

However, the government should stop the exploitation of farmers immediately before history repeats itself, said Chai.