Fruit Prices in Malaysia Rise Due to Shipping Disruptions in the Middle East

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - Fruit prices in Malaysia are expected to soar as transportation disruptions linked to conflicts in the Middle East shake the global supply chain. Shipping disruptions in the Middle East are forcing fruit farmers to purchase more expensive chemical fertilisers, according to a report by local media outlet Sin Chew Daily, citing recent statements from Koh Lai Ann, president of the Malaysian Fruit Farmers’ Association. “In just two weeks, the price of raw fertiliser materials has surged 100 percent to 150 percent. If the conflict continues and suppliers cannot deliver their goods, Malaysian fruit farmers may face a situation where they have money but cannot buy fertiliser,” Koh stated. According to him, the higher input costs are expected to burden production, potentially causing a significant drop in supply and driving up prices for consumers. Koh noted that the domino effect of the conflict could raise fruit prices in Malaysia by 20 percent or more. Additionally, he said export-oriented fruits reliant on overseas sales, such as durian and jackfruit, will face greater risks, as they must also contend with skyrocketing shipping and insurance costs alongside fertiliser expenses. The Middle East is a major production hub and transit route for fertiliser raw materials, he added. Ongoing instability is disrupting shipments through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. As a result, some Malaysian fertiliser suppliers have been forced to halt new orders since mid-March, Koh revealed.