Price of chicken increasing? Rice too? Oh no, what is happening?

You might have heard that Malaysian rice prices have increased by around 30% to RM3,200 from RM2,350 per ton in August 2023. This was big news for many Malaysian households as rice is one of the main staples of our diet.

The furor over the sudden rise of prices highlights how the cost of living has been an increasing concern among Malaysians. The details we present here may help you understand which states in Malaysia have experienced the highest increase in food prices.

Our Data

This article will be using data obtained from the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) consumer price index focusing on the food and beverage segment. It has breakdowns of all the states in Malaysia, and the article will utilise the average growth rate of prices from January 2023 to August 2023.

#1: Selangor

It is no surprise that Selangor comes in at the first spot on this list. From January 2023 to August 2023, food & beverage prices averaged a growth rate of 7.1% from a year before.

Selangor houses the biggest population in Malaysia at 7.2 million and is the centre of employment for many Malaysians. Many are attracted by the new sectors and jobs that are being created in the state and in neighboring Kuala Lumpur.

Hence, the high price increase of food and beverages in Selangor is concerning. While there are no breakdowns yet on what food price items are driving this, it is safe to say that many people in Selangor might be seeing their neighbourhood restaurants and supermarkets charging sky-high prices.

#2: Sarawak

Surprise, surprise. The land of the hornbills came in second in this list. The average price growth for its food & beverage was at 7.1%, tied with Selangor. And you know what is concerning?

Sarawak recorded the third-highest absolute poverty rate of 12.9% in 2020, and that number increased from around 9% in 2019. No doubt, the pandemic had a big impact on this but a sharp increase in food prices is a serious threat to many Sarawakians.

Zeroing in on Sarawak’s favourite noodle, Kolo mee, wheat prices have been high due to the war in Russia and Ukraine. Pork prices have also increased sharply as an outbreak of swine flu wiped out many of the pig population in Sarawak in 2022.

#3: Pahang

The biggest state in peninsular Malaysia, Pahang is at number 3. From January 2023 to August 2023, food & beverage prices averaged 5.9%.

Being in the middle of the peninsular, and with thick forests on rough terrain, it costs a bit more to transport food from seaports to various areas in Pahang. Similar to Sarawak, this sharp increase in prices is detrimental to the poverty situation in Pahang. The poverty rate is at a high of 8.8% in 2020.

Luckily for Pahang, Cameron Highlands produces a lot of vegetable produce but the spike in fertilizer prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war has made costs higher for many farmers there.

#4: Perak

Ah, Perak, home of the many great foods of Malaysia. Unfortunately, the food price increase in Perak came in at 5.7% from January 2023 to August 2023.

The shocking thing is that Perak’s poverty rate is at a whopping 11.4% in 2020, making the state the 6th highest in Malaysia.

Let’s dive into Ipoh’s famous dish, bean sprout chicken. Last year, the price of chicken increased due to the rise in animal feed prices. Again, this was due to the Russia-Ukraine war which is still raging on.

#5: Penang

Oh, no! Char kuey teows and laksa could be more expensive! Penang makes the list at the 5th position with an average price growth of 5.6%. Fortunately, the poverty rate is relatively low in Penang at 3.3%.

However, this should not be taken lightly. Penang is one of the key states in terms of employment, being a key manufacturing hub. With sky-high property prices, a double whammy is in store for Penangites with higher food prices.

#6: Malacca

Coming in at number 6, Malacca, the heritage town registered an average food & beverage price growth of 5.5% from January 2023 to August 2023.

The poverty rate in Malacca also came in pretty high at 6.1%, and Malaccans would do well to monitor their spending. Well, not for satay celup, those things are delicious.

#7: Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan is at number 7 in this list. Food & beverage price growth averaged 5.5% also in the period from January 2023 to August 2023.

Home to the delicious Seremban siew pao, it is worrying that this state is also experiencing a sharp increase in food prices. It doesn’t help that the poverty rate is at a high 6.8% in 2020.

#8: Johor

Rounding up this list is Johor. From January 2023 to August 2023, the state averaged a price growth of 5.3%.

Oh no, are otak-otaks getting more expensive? The situation with Johor is a bit unique. It is close to Singapore where it always gets many Singaporean tourists coming over.

Their strong purchasing powers contributed to a sharp increase in prices for many foods. While Johoreans welcome the money, it isn’t doing much favour to its rising cost of living.

Conclusion

Higher food prices are tough on every Malaysian. Knowing which states with the highest food price increases helps you to plan your spending accordingly. If you are planning to travel to other states for a food trip, maybe it’s best not to have these states at the top of your list!

 

Let us know in the comments below what food items are expensive to you now!

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