BUKIT MERTAJAM: Poultry sellers at the Bukit Mertajam market here have increased the price of fresh chicken meat to between RM9 and RM9.50 per kg, since last week.
The price increase occurred following sellers having to pay a higher price to the suppliers after being told of a shortage in supply due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Mohd Hafizie Md Saad, 39, who has been selling chicken meat since 2014 said he had no choice but to increase his prices.
"Previously, we paid only RM4 per kg. However, the price has since doubled to RM8.
"If we do not sell the chicken at a higher cost, then we will have to bear the losses. There is not much profit we can make now compared with pre-MCO period.
"We are left with very little after taking into consideration workers' salary and other costs incurred," he said when met today.
Mohd Hafizie said he together with other poultry sellers had constantly bugged suppliers over the high prices.
"And every time, we are told that there is a lack of supply.
"Some customers think we are taking advantage of the situation by hiking our prices that some have stopped buying poultry meat," he added.
Hafidzuin Jamil Noorzihad, 31, urged the authorities to investigate the suppliers' claim of supply shortage.
"This does not only concern us, the sellers alone, but also our customers.
"Just imagine, I have experienced a 50 per cent drop in business as customers are shunning away from us," he added.
Meanwhile, market-goer, Rumiyati Dul Hadi, 40, hopes the price of chicken would stabilise in time for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
"The price increase is very significant. Of course customers are feeling the pinch, more so those who have lost their income since the MCO began."
