Fruit producers and wholesalers are forced to dump their produce due to supply chain disruptions under the movement control order (MCO).
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Fruit Farmers’ Association chairperson Jeffrey Choong estimated that 10,000 tonnes of fruits have been discarded in the Klang Valley alone since the MCO period.
He also estimated that only 50 percent of produce reaches consumers, although food supply is categorised as an essential service by the National Security Council.
The problem, said Choong, stemmed from the initial confusion about the MCO rules regarding transport vehicles and that the number of places where fruits can be sold have reduced.
Unable to transport their produce to consumers, he said producers have no choice but to dispose of their fruits.
“We are forced to do so because we can’t keep the fruits for a long time,” he added.
Choong explained that most fruits can last a week, while some up to three weeks, if refrigerated.
However, because fruit sellers tend to have limited storage space, some of it would have to be disposed of.
Additionally, the fruit industry also depends on other supporting industries which are facing similar disruptions because of the MCO. These include the supply of pesticides, fertilisers, processing factories and even workshops to repair vehicles.
“We know consumers want to buy fruits, but the supply can’t reach the markets… We are making losses and still have to work because we don’t want people to be deprived of fruits,” he added.
He believed that the same problem is being faced by fruit producers in other states as well.
To remedy the problem, Choong said his association has written to the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Malaysia and Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) with proposals. However, they have yet to receive a response.
“We are prepared to find solutions together. If we can’t meet face-to-face, let’s do it online. This is a serious issue,” he added.
Wholesaler, Erik Ong, who is collaborating with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Fruit Farmers’ Association, said some fruit sellers resorted to selling online during the MCO period with limited success.
Ong said he and his friends are currently working on an “e-petani” online platform to help vegetable and fruit farmers in the Klang Valley promote their produce.
Twenty farmers have been roped in so far and their produce would be delivered via e-hailing services such as Grab.
“Farmers will earn lower than usual, but our goal is to market the goods and prevent wastage.
“If this model succeeds, we will supply fruits and vegetables to frontliners (in the war against Covid-19) for free,” he added.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that vegetable producers and fishermen faced a similar predicament due to supply chain disruptions.
Putrajaya has tasked International Trade and Industries Minister Azmin Ali to resolve the problem whereas Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob promised that trucks ferrying foodstuff would not encounter problems at roadblocks. – Malaysiakini