MCO: Rise in online sales of agro-based products

JASIN, April 26  -- The online sales and purchase of agro-based products recorded an increase of more than RM3 million in the five weeks since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19, said Agriculture and Food Industry Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah.

He said the increase included transactions conducted through the Agrobazaar Online and NekmatBiz platforms handled by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).

He added that the increase was also based on the cooperation with companies conducting online sales and food delivery services like Redbox, Lazada, Shopee, Foodpanda, Bungkusit as well as Karhoo.

“Through these platforms, it is easier for consumers to get supplies as well as help local entrepreneurs to market and sell their agro-based products such as crops, livestock and fish.

“Among the products with the highest online demand during the MCO were vegetables, fish and fruits and this shows that such transactions are more widely accepted by the people,” he told reporters after officiating a ceremony to hand over food contributions in conjunction with the Jasin parliamentary-level Ramadan event here today.

Ahmad also reminded the public to purchase their daily necessities at the 144 Controlled Fresh Market (PST) outlets set up nationwide by the ministry, comprising 50 FAMA outlets, 31 Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) outlets and 63 Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) outlets.

He said the sale and distribution methods at these outlets, selling fresh products like vegetables, fruits, chickens, fish, meat, groceries and agro-based products, had received encouraging response.

“These PST outlets recorded sales revenue of over RM12 million since the early stages of the MCO until April 10. I also wish to advise the public not to make any panic purchases because there is sufficient supply of goods,” he said.

-- BERNAMA