THE price of strawberries in Cameron Highlands has plunged drastically due to the Ramadan fasting month and low number of tourists.
A box of 500gm strawberries is now selling for about RM10 which is two to three times cheaper than normal days due to the low number of tourists.
Aside from being eaten as fresh fruit, strawberries are made into jam, juices, ice-cream, milkshakes, cake/pie/pastries and numerous other products.
However, the price of strawberries is expected to be back to normal during the Hari Raya spell.
Cameron Highlands Vegetable Farmers Organisation president Datuk Chai Kok Lim said the number of tourists visiting Cameron Highlands is down by 70%, thus pushing down the price of the fruit.
The wholesale price of strawberries is only RM14/ kg at this moment, he added.
“For tourists keen to experience strawberry plucking, they will still want to have the experience regardless of the price,” he told Sin Chew Daily. “The price of strawberries plucked by tourists is about RM70/kg.”
Strawberry Valley Cameron Highlands’ owner Goh Bing Luen said a box of 500gm strawberries is currently sold for between RM20 and RM30 during peak season but is only RM10 now.
“If you buy in bulk, you may even pay less than RM20/kg. A tourist just bought 60kg of strawberries several days ago,” he revealed.
Nevertheless, the ‘good times’ will not last as Goh expects the price of strawberries to be back to normal during Hari Raya and beyond. “For the unsold strawberries, operators will make strawberry jam, strawberry juice and other products,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the person-in-charge of Strawberry Station said many operators are selling strawberries at cost to clear their stock. Many are selling the fruit without nice packaging for RM20/kg to RM25/kg. – March 31, 2023
