Singaporean stallholders selling vegetables are suffering a loss of income as they are unable to procure adequate supplies of fresh product after the Panjang Wholesale Centre was closed down to help prevent the spread of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
Some estimate they will lose as much as S$100 (US$56.3) per day if they are unable to obtain their usual supply of fresh vegetables. Consumers have also expressed their discontentment at having to pay extra for greens that were not fresh.
As ever in a demand-driven market, prices have soared. One vegetable seller commented: “The price is up almost 100% because the wholesale price is doubled. There’s very little stock, you can’t get them even if you’re willing to pay for it.”
The wholesale centre is being disinfected during its period of closure.
