Commodity shortages

[kiwibird]

Odd - article for reference only - logistical problems might increase and I was not aware there was such a "just in time" problem already

2kg sugar pack limit per family

Published on: Friday, July 31, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Effective July 29, each family is only allowed two kilogrammes of sugar for each purchase.

State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said this is to prevent panic buying among the consumers.

She advised consumers to disregard rumours of sugar shortage saying that supply is adequate.

She said the recent shortage was caused by the delay of the ship that was supposed to transport the commodity to Sabah. The ship concerned would not budge from the port until it was laden with other consignments thus the reason for the delay and subsequent shortage of the commodity.

During the meeting, she and six major sugar suppliers - Kiat Hong, Chui Thai Seng, Tong Hing, Ta Kiong, Hiap Fong discussed what steps to take to so that supply of the commodity would be adequate especially during Hari Raya.

According to her, consumers in Papar, Kundasang, Ranau, Kota Kinabalu and Beaufort will receive their supply this Saturday from supplier Chui Thai Seng.

"Hiap Fong has received 121 metric tonnes and would be distributed to shopkeepers around KKIP and consumers in Tuaran and Tamparuli today (Thursday)," she said.

As for Giant supermarket, consumers would be able to purchase sugar there starting Aug 6
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=66723

 

[Lizw]

Re: Sugar shortage

Re: Sugar shortage

Odd - article for reference only - logistical problems might increase and I was not aware there was such a "just in time" problem already

2kg sugar pack limit per family

Published on: Friday, July 31, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Effective July 29, each family is only allowed two kilogrammes of sugar for each purchase.

State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said this is to prevent panic buying among the consumers.

She advised consumers to disregard rumours of sugar shortage saying that supply is adequate.

She said the recent shortage was caused by the delay of the ship that was supposed to transport the commodity to Sabah. The ship concerned would not budge from the port until it was laden with other consignments thus the reason for the delay and subsequent shortage of the commodity.

This probably has more to do with the numbers of ships that are tied up and no longer in service, but it's one more piece of the social breakdown puzzle. Sugar isn't a huge deal. Grains and rice and powdered milk could be.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Sugar shortage

Re: Sugar shortage

August 14, 2009 12:55 PM

Don't Leave Home Without Your Hand Sanitizers

By Zulkiple Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- These days, sugar appears not only to be the item in short supply. Other goods that have no connection with the coming fasting month of Ramadan and the ensuing festive season have been reportedly receiving unsually high demand.

With the latest development on the H1N1 Influenza (Influenza A or swine flu) where Malaysians are increasingly being aware on the dangers brought along by this epidemic, there are reports that hand sanitizers are selling like hot cakes.

Members of the public are snapping up the surgical (face) masks too amidst reports that some pharmacies are selling the items on inflated prices.

Several pharmacies in the city have reported to be almost running out of hand sanitizers.

"Before, I used to sell about 10 bottles or dispensers of hand sanitizers in a month. But lately I can sell that many within a few hours a day. My stock of hand sanitizers is depleting very fast and my regular suppliers said they are rushing in more supply to replenish these products," Desmond Ng, the owner of a pharmacy in Petaling Jaya told Bernama.

Several pharmacies here have also reported similar situation.

The operator of a pharmacy in Rawang near here said he had ran out of hand sanitizers since a week ago.

"Many people are buying the antiseptic for their own use and also for their school-going children," he said.

These sanitizers area also available at convenience stores.

Civil servant Maimunah Amat from Bandar Country Homes in Rawang near here said she recently bought five small bottles of the hand sanitizers for her family.

"My husband and I carry one (bottle) each to our respective offices. Each of our school-going children bring one to school, apart from wearing the surgical masks," she said.

In the wake of the HINI flu spread, many schools have distributed surgical masks for their students apart from encouraging them to regularly wash their hands with soap and water.

"If they can afford it, they can also bring the hand sanitizers to school as hand sanitizers can replace soap and water," said a school teacher.

HAND SANITIZERS

A hand sanitizer is also known as a healthcare hand wash or hand antiseptic. It is used as an alternative to hand washing with soap and water.

A variety of preparations are available in the market including gels, foam and liquid solutions. Brands like Desmanol and Solvi-sol are known to be used by some hospitals in the city.

However some hand sanitizers contain alcohol like ethanol and isopropanol.

According to a medical officer of a public hospital here, hand sanitizers containing alcohol are more effective at killing germs than soaps.

"Hand sanitizers do not dry out hands as much as soaps. But there are also hand sanitizers that are not alcohol-based and contain natural products and essential oils.

"There are others that use other than alcohol, such as triclosan or benzalkonium chloride, to kill germs," he said.

EFFECTIVE WAY TO KILL GERMS

According to a salesman in the pharmaceutical industry, Johnson Yim, using hand sanitizers is an effective way to "wash one's hands" when soap and water are not available.

"These waterless products are popular with parents of small children. Some producers of hand sanitizers claim that the sanitizers kill 99.9 percent of germs," he said.

Financial executive Mohd Nor Ibrahim said he has started to bring along a small bottle of hand sanitizer to work.

"Apart from wearing the surgical mask, I also have a small bottle of the hand sanitizer in my pocket. My wife keeps one in her handbag and uses the material regularly while at work," he said.

Car salesman Fikri Abdul said he has been using hand sanitizers for the past one month.

"Since I heard of the outbreak of the H1N1, I have been using hand sanitizers while working as it does not need soap and water to keep my hands clean from bacteria," he said.

Fikri however urged pharmacies not to inflate the price of surgical masks.

"Before the surgical masks are not that expensive but nowadays, the price has doubled or even tripled," he added.

Recently Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has called on pharmacies and other business outlets not to take advantage of the situation by inflating the price of surgical masks.

-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=432786

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Commodity shortages

Drought is affecting sugar crops in some countries


Sugar Shortage Due To Hoarding By Traders And Smuggling To Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Hoarding of sugar by traders and smuggling to Thailand have contributed to the shortage problem.

Perlis Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry director Mohd A. Aruwan Abdul Aziz said the high price of sugar in Thailand led to rampant smuggling across the border.

"Bulk purchase by consumers in preparation for the coming festival led to speculation that the price of sugar will be increased. Panic purchase led to the shortage."

He said sugar was sold at RM2.08 per kg in Thailand compared to RM1.45 per kg in Malaysia.

In KELANTAN, the General Operations Force (GOF) yesterday detained a man and seized 8,000 kg of sugar, 7,000 kg of flour and 500 kg of cooking oil worth RM30,000 from two lorries near Sungai Golok.

GOF 9th Battalion operation officer Chief Insp Jeffri Mizan said the seizure was made as the goods were being removed from two lorries before smuggled to Thailand.

He said the two lorry drivers managed to escape while one of the two lorry attendants were detained during the raid at 10.30pm.

The sugar in packets of 1 kg was valued at RM12,000 in Malaysia or RM16,000 in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry deputy director Mohd Khalis Kasim denied reports of a sugar shortage in Kuching.

He said consumers should not have problem in getting sugar as there was adequate supply.

"Consumers who can't get their sugar supply can report to the ministry. We have yet to receive such reports."

He said sugar shortage occured in Limbang last week when delivery was delayed but it had since returned to normal.

Sarawak's stock of coarse sugar last week stood at 1,863.82 tonnes of which 698 tonnes were for Kuching.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=430564