GEORGE TOWN (ANN/THE STAR) – This year’s mandarin oranges (lokam) not only boast a sweeter taste but also come with a lighter price tag, bringing joy to Malaysian consumers.
The reduced prices make it accessible for everyone to partake in the abundant harvest, savouring the Lunar New Year essential, which is also loved for its Chinese name “kam” that rhymes with the word for “gold”.
Thanks to favourable weather conditions in China, there has been a remarkable 20 per cent increase in yield, leading to a decline in prices, as highlighted by Yee Kam Ming, director of Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd.
Particularly, orchards in Yongchun, Fujian province, have experienced exceptionally fruitful harvests.
“Over the past six months, there had been adequate rainfall followed by sunny weather.
“The fruits are even larger this year, reaching a peak size of 70 to 75 millimetre (mm) in diameter for the medium sizes and 75mm to 80mm for the large ones.
“This time, the combination of sunshine and dry weather just as the fruits were ripening resulted in mandarins with enhanced sweetness and a vibrant colour.
“It is one of the best harvests in terms of flavour,” he said at Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru yesterday.
Yee, who received his first shipment of over 6,000 boxes of mandarins, said the company would receive a total of 15 shipments.
“With the 20 per cent higher yield, prices are better compared with 2023.
“Larger sizes are 10 per cent to 15 per cent cheaper while the price of smaller ones sees a 5% to 10% drop.
“The M and L sizes collectively contribute to 60 per cent of the total production.”
Yee added that this year, the small mandarins are priced at MYR17.58 a box, medium ones at MYR19.38, large at MYR22.38, and extra-large mandarins at MYR24.88 per box.
“Across all sizes, there are noticeable price drops with the biggest observed in the XL mandarins, declining by 37 per cent.
“The price of M mandarins has gone down by 17 per cent, while L size is cheaper by 25 per cent.
“The smallest decrease is the S-size at only one per cent lower,” he said.
Malaysia, he said, is the second largest importer of oranges in Southeast Asia.
“We are behind Indonesia and ahead of Singapore.
“We expect demand to be high as more people will be willing to spend on these oranges, which are also good gifts for friends and relatives.
“There will be more community events as well, increasing the demand,” he added.
Yee said they offer a separate wholesale price for those who order 50 or 100 cartons and above.
On other mandarin orange varieties that will be offered at Sunshine, Yee said there are also the Red Beauty, Papagan, Wogan and Shatang King (small tangerine).
All of them experienced strong growth and boast excellent taste and flavour, he said.
Red Beauty, Papagan and Wogan, he noted, are considered premium-grade oranges and are high in demand.
“These oranges that are new to the local market are pricier but tasty.
“They originated in other countries but were brought into China for cultivation,” he added.
