IPOH: Cameron Highlands farm operators are selling imported strawberries at higher prices to cope with the low production of local strawberries due to frequent rain and lack of sun.

Tourists are buying strawberries at higher rates.

Strawberries grown in Cameron Highlands used to be sold between RM15 and RM20 for 300g, but the price has now shot up to RM30.

Some strawberry farm operators have resorted to importing strawberries to meet the local demand.

Time Tunnel Strawberry farm operator Datuk Chai Kok Lim said strawberry harvest is affected by the frequent rain and lack of sun.

The strawberry production has plunged by 50%.

In addition, the size of strawberry is much smaller now, only a third of the size of a strawberry grown in Cameron Highlands.

“This has prompted some operators to import strawberries to meet the rising demand, some selling at RM35 for 300g, or RM50 per kilo.
“As for strawberries supplied to bakeries and restaurants, the price has been fixed,” he said.

The strawberry harvest would improve if the weather gets better over the next two weeks, he said.

Zhuang Sheng Guang, a strawberry wholesaler in Cameron Highlands, said farmers had no choice but to import from the United States, Egypt and Australia to cope with the rising demands from restaurants, tourists, hotels and supermarkets, causing the prices to increase.

“Farmers have signed contracts with restaurants, hotels and supermarkets to supply them strawberries. They have to pay the fines if they are unable to supplying,” he explained.

Another factor is manpower shortage resulting in the farmers cutting back production, which is labour intensive.

Zhuang predicted that the production of strawberries will only improve by next February when tourists are expected to visit Cameron Highlands during the Chinese New Year in January.

Weather forecast has stated that rainy season will last until next February.