Food prices remain high post Chinese New Year in Ipoh

Food prices remain high post Chinese New Year in Ipoh, Perak since most food business owners had adjusted their prices ahead of the festival to offset the rising cost.

The culprit? A surge in the prices of coffee powder, sugar, milk, and other essential ingredients, left merchants feeling the pressures of rising costs.

“If merchants do not adjust prices after some time, they will not be able to cope with the pressure of rising costs,” said Perak Coffee Shopkeepers Association chairman Kong Kin Loong, reported Sin Chew Daily.

In response to the price issue, Kong stressed that the reason behind price adjustments is to maintain the quality of products rather than simply increase profits.

He further said that without these price adjustments, the rising costs of business would overwhelm business owners.

Additionally, he noted that the market price for tea typically saw a hike of 20 sen.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry implemented the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) from Feb 6-14 for certain controlled items.

“This will enable more effective enforcement and immediate action will be taken against any complaints on unreasonable price hikes,” minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali had said, previously, reported The Star.

The controlled items were white prawns, white pomfret, live pigs, pig intestines, pork (meat and fat), imported cabbage from Indonesia and China, excluding Beijing, imported potatoes from China, garlic, imported ginger, imported white radish and red radish.