IN less than a month’s time, the Chinese community will be ushering in the Year of the Rat, yet there seems to be no big demand for Mandarin oranges so far and sale of the fruit has been rather slow compared to previous years. 

During StarMetro’s recent visit to a wet market in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, many traders were found to have very small stocks of Mandarin oranges or “Lokam” as it is known among the Chinese.  

The area is a popular stop for those wanting to purchase Chinese New Year goodies at the stalls normally seen lining up along the roads there. During the StarMetro visit, however, there was no stall in sight. Perhaps it is still too early for Chinese New Year shopping. 

According to the traders interviewed by StarMetro, the late delivery of the products from China might be caused by delayed harvesting due to bad weather. 

Not much choice: Cheong Wai Quan looking at the Mandarin oranges at the Kepong wet market while holding on to her 10-month-old daughter Suyi Crenshaw.

“The celebrations this year is rather early compared to last year and harvesting for oranges may be difficult for the farmers there,” fruit stall operator Pauline Yap said. 

“Currently we only managed to secure a handful of Lokam, but at the moment, this is not a problem yet,” she said. 

Another trader, who declined to be named, said one reason the demand for the fruit was low at the wet market was that many people preferred to buy the fruits at the stalls put up along the road to sell Chinese New Year products later. 

According to the trader, the bulk of Mandarin oranges are scheduled to arrive from China next week. This is much later, compared to the previous years.  

Asked if the price of the fruit would be higher this year, she said it would not be much different from previous years as they were retailing at about RM13 per box. 

Cheong Wai Quan, who visits the market often, said she would only purchase the oranges later, nearer the festival date. 

“I normally purchase it for my friends and family, from the stalls along the main road,” Cheong said. 

According to Federal Territories MCA Youth deputy chairman Yee Poh Ping, many traders are still awaiting their shipments from China. 

“The traders do not know if the demand for the fruit would be high this year because consumers nowadays are more careful in spending, and would not make unnecessary purchase,” Yee said. 

According to Yee, temporary licences are issued to the ad hoc traders just two weeks before the celebration. 

“A two-week period is not enough for the traders to sell Chinese New Year products which includes biscuits, decorations, fruits and mandarin oranges,” he said. 

Yee said he would appeal to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to allow the temporary stalls to start trading earlier. 

“We want to create the festive mood in the area, and by having stalls selling their products here, the place would be busier and the Chinese New Year atmosphere would be felt by all,” he said.