Higher fruit and veggie prices due to ringgit drop, says Tajuddin

The high prices of fruits and vegetables are closely associated with the drop in ringgit value, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman. He said the ringgit's drop had raised farmers' cost of operation because imported fertiliser and agricultural equipment now cost up to 30% more. "Much fertiliser is imported and the currency used is the dollar. With the drop in the value of the ringgit, the cost of the fertiliser has risen by between 20% and 30%," he told reporters after the presentation of donations from the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers today. Tajuddin, who is Pasir Salak MP, was asked to comment on media reports today that the prices of local agricultural goods were higher than imported products. He said the rise in the prices of local agricultural goods was also due to the distribution chain of various levels. The ministry through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority always strove to minimise the distribution chain to contain price increases, he said. One of the ways was through the introduction of the MyFarm Outlets which sold foodstuff at prices 5% to 20% lower than market prices, he said. The MyFarm Outlets were proposed under the Budget 2016 recalibration measures announced on January 28 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. – Bernama, March 10, 2016.]]>