[QuidQuoPro]

JOHOR BARU: Pork prices in the state have dropped due to an oversupply of the meat even with Chinese New Year approaching.

Johor Pig Farmers Association secretary Twang Kwee Sang said the price of pork had fallen from RM7.50 (S$3) to RM7 per kilo since last Sunday.

"We believe that pig farmers in the state had overestimated the needs of the local market and reared more pigs than needed," he said, while adding that the demand for imported frozen pork had fallen due to the drop in the price of locally-reared pigs.

"We noticed that consumers, who previously preferred to purchase pork from Brazil, Vietnam and Thailand, have now switched to local pork," he said.

Meanwhile, the prices of vegetables continue to remain high and the rise is expected to continue until the festive season.

Johor Baru Vegetable Wholesalers Association chairman Yeo Mang Pin said vegetable prices had gone up in the last two weeks, not because of the festival, but due to the rainy season.

He added that the prices of chillies and long beans were especially high with green chillies selling for RM8 per kilo and long beans for RM4 per kilo.

"We are expecting prices for imported vegetables to increase slightly and these include celery and cabbage, which are favourites during Chinese New Year," he said, adding that the prices would, however, be dependant on weather conditions nearer to the festivities.