Distributors who spoke to Channel NewsAsia said that the supply of vegetables from Malaysia had fallen by more than 20%, while prices increased by as much as 40%.
Because the prices of vegetables from countries like Thailand and Vietnam remain stable, however, they said diversifying their sources allowed them to keep costs in check.
“This also applies to our fruit sources – for example, while supplies of bananas from Malaysia have been affected, we continue to keep a steady supply for the fruit from the Philippines, Ecuador, and Mexico,” NTUC FairPrice’s director of fresh products Peter Teo was quoted as saying.
Malaysia is reportedly Singapore’s main source for vegetables, with much of this grown and imported from Cameron Highlands.
The cold spell from the recent rainy weather took many by surprise last week, with temperatures in some areas dropping to as low as 21 degrees Celsius at night.
Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said the cold weather was the usual phenomenon during the period of the northeast monsoon, from November to March.
He said overcast skies, incessant rain and cold monsoon winds were among the factors for the chilly weather in several peninsular states.