KENINGAU: Many rubber smallholders here are complaining that private buyers are depriving them of actual profits by purchasing at prices much lower than the market price.
Liawan assemblyman, Datuk Sairin Karno said he had received numerous complaints and warned buyers not to take advantage of the villagers or they risk a boycott from the smallholders.
Last week, a village head of Namadan Baru in Sook, Nani Gahong claimed that the buyers would only purchase at prices RM1 toRM1.50 less than the market price per kilo.
Current rubber prices in the market are RM9.30 per kilo but apparently the smallholders can only sell their sheets to the private buyers at prices of even as low as RM7 per kilo.
“That means their profits can be as much as RM1,800 per metric tonne,” said Nani.
Prices have soared from RM2.10 per kilo to RM9.30 per kilo in the last few years giving rise to a surge in the number of rubber smallholders.
Lately, there has been talk of a group of smallholders in the Interior planning to set up an association to better protect their interests.
When registered, the association will also function as a buyer for the smallholders to ensure they enjoy the market price for their goods.
(Source: http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/46160)
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