PUTRAJAYA, 5 Nov 2008: The government is expected to lower the ceiling price of Super Special Tempatan (SST) rice with 5% and 10% broken grain this week, in line with the drop in the price of oil globally.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said the decision would be made after the ceiling price of rice had been reviewed and discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inflation.
“We are moving towards this direction (lower ceiling price),” he told reporters after a meeting with major hypermarket operators here today.
However, the ceiling price of SST rice with 15% broken grain still remained at RM1.80 per kg as it was subsidised by the government.
The actual price was RM2.30 per kg.
On 1 Nov, the price of SST rice dropped 20 sen per kg. SST 5% broken grain dropped from RM2.80 to RM2.60 per kg and SST 10% broken grain dropped from RM2.70 to RM2.50 per kg.
Mustapa also said hypermarket operators had agreed to step up programmes to encourage the sale of local agriculture produce at their premises aimed at penetrating the global market.
“To show their promotion of local agriculture produce and agro-based industry products, they had agreed to share database with the government. This way, we will know what products are wanted in bulk,” he said.
The hypermarkets also agreed to train entrepreneurs in improving packaging and quality of products for the market.
He added the ministry would also ensure consistent supply of produce like watermelons where 500 tonnes were needed daily compared to a supply of only 200 tonnes daily. — Bernama
