THE Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) imports between 20 and 50 tonnes of red chillies from China every week to be sold at farmers' markets (pasar tani) nationwide.
Fama director Datuk Mohamed Shariff Abdul Aziz said the imports kept chilli prices low and would meet increased demand during festive seasons.
The first imported batch was on sale at RM9 per kg, which is cheaper than local red chillies sold at RM13 per kg, he said.
He said the imported chillies solved the problem of low supply of local chillies, particularly during the festive season.
"Fama will continue to import red chillies until Chinese New Year.
SOURCE: JOHOR BUZZ, NEW STRAITS TIMES, 10 DECEMBER 2008
"Every week, between 20 and 50 tonnes of red chillies are imported to meet market demand.
"The chillies are supplied to pasar tani nationwide to prevent vendors from raising prices."
He was speaking after visiting the Bukit Gambir pasir tani in Tangkak recently. Present was Johor Fama director A. Rahaman Suleiman.
Shariff said if pasar tani traders failed to sell their produce at low prices, Fama secretariat members would go to the ground to sell the chillies to make sure consumers did not pay high prices.
He said Fama did this to prevent people from taking advantage of customers due to increased demand during festive seasons.
Prices at pasar tani, he said, were lower compared with other places. "The Best Prices programme at pasar tani makes sure customers pay between 10 and 30 per cent less than elsewhere.
"Coconut milk at pasar tani costs RM3.50 compared with RM5 outside.
"Similarly, a head of cabbage costs RM2 per kg, tomatoes are RM2 per kg and pineapple is RM1 per kg."
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