KUALA LUMPUR — Vegetables staple to the Malaysian diet could soon take a bigger bite out of household budgets, with prices expected to rise as early as April as the war in West Asia disrupts global supply chains.

The impact may not be immediate, thanks to surplus deliveries ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and government-imposed festive price controls.

At Pasar Dato Keramat, vegetable seller Romlah Nasir said she is still clearing stock delivered last Thursday.

“Our next delivery is later this week but we are currently managing with excess vegetables received before Hari Raya.

“We also cannot raise the prices of items like vegetables and coconut milk now because the government has enforced price controls until March 28 for Aidilfitri,” she said.

Malay Mail’s checks found vegetables such as sawi (mustard greens) generally priced between RM4 and RM6 per kg, tomatoes at RM4 per kg, and chillies at around RM10 per kg.

However, with price controls ending today and fertiliser costs set to jump by at least RM300 per tonne next month, prices are expected to climb.

Still, price pressures are already emerging elsewhere.

Wong Kok Keong, 55, who sells pantry staples in Kepong, said while imported onions and garlic remain stable, locally grown ginger from Cameron Highlands has risen by RM2 per kg in a week.

“Two weeks ago, I bought ginger for RM16 per kg but the price went up to RM18 per kg last week.

“The supplier said he increased the price as transport cost have gone up because of higher diesel prices,” Wong said.

Diesel prices in peninsular Malaysia rose to RM5.52 per litre on March 25, marking the third sharp increase since March 11.