By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 6: The shortage of white rice in Sarawak, should it happen, will be artificial and temporary, claims a rice merchant here.
The merchant, who preferred to remain anonymous, said if there is a shortage of white rice in Sarawak, it is because retailers including supermarkets are waiting for prices to drop before they start ordering.
On Sept 1, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) announced the increase of prices for imported white rice at all its warehouses nationwide from RM2,350 to RM3,200 per tonne.
It said that the adjustment was in line with the latest pricing of imported white rice in the international markets.
On Oct 2, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that for Sabah and Sarawak, the government had agreed to provide a subsidy of RM950 per tonne, beginning Oct 5, to announce a retail price of RM31 per 10kg.
The rice merchant explained since Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) announced that prices of white rice will increase, retailers instantly followed suit by increasing their prices, leading to a surge in prices of imported rice.
However, following Mohammad Sabu’s announcement, retailers have halted their orders and are at the moment waiting for the price drop to take effect before they place new orders, leading to a temporary shortage.
“If there are any shortages, it could also be due to panic buying.
“I do not think that there is a shortage, unless it is in the rural areas,” the rice merchant told DayakDaily.
Meanwhile, a consumer said the cheapest rice used to cost RM25.50 per 10kg. Following Bernas’ Sept 1 announcement, the price has been increased to RM37 per 10kg.
“Even though the government announced that it should cost RM31 per 10kg, I can only get it in one supermarket for that kind of price and only during the weekends,” the consumer said. — DayakDaily
