Scarcity of Various Wild Vegetables at Pasar Tamu Market persists
In a surprising turn of events, the local vegetable 'daun sabung' is currently in short supply at Sibu Central Market, despite being available year-round. This unexpected scarcity has left customers disappointed, as they have been requesting the vegetable since last week, only to find none available the previous day.
'Daun sabung', a tall plant with a smooth surface and small stem, grows in shaded areas in the wild, primarily in Song and Kapit. The plant is popular among the local community, particularly the Dayak people, and is often used in traditional dishes.
The shortage appears to be ongoing for two weeks, with vegetable sellers at Pasar Tamu reporting the shortage. The suppliers in Song and Kapit are facing difficulties finding the vegetable in the jungle, possibly due to the weather, as it has been raining in the jungle for the past week.
The price of 'daun sabung' has not changed due to the shortage, and the article does not provide information about alternative vegetables being offered at the market. A typical bunch of 'daun sabung' is about the size of an adult's thumb and is usually sold for RM2.
It is worth noting that spikes in demand during cultural and food festivals could also contribute to the shortage. The Borneo Culture Festival 2025 and Havoc Food Festival 2025, where 'daun sabung' is prominently used, might have temporarily increased consumer demand.
Harvest challenges or seasonal yield variations could also affect the availability of 'daun sabung', even though it is not a seasonal vegetable. The vegetable is traditionally harvested by relying on the natural rebung (shoots) cycles, which may fluctuate.
Despite the shortage, the sellers suspect that the weather in the jungle could be the reason for the scarcity of 'daun sabung'. It remains unclear if the shortage has affected the availability of the vegetable in other markets or areas.
[1] Local Cultural and Food Festivals Boost Demand for Daun Sabung [2] Weather Affects Growth and Collection of Daun Sabung in the Jungle
[1] The unexpected scarcity of 'daun sabung' at Sibu Central Market could be attributed to the surge in demand during cultural and food festivals like the Borneo Culture Festival 2025 and Havoc Food Festival 2025, where it is prominently used in traditional dishes.
[2] Home-and-garden enthusiasts and food-and-drink connoisseurs might find it challenging to get 'daun sabung' recipes right without the vegetable, as the weather in the jungle could be hindering its growth and collection, causing a shortage in supply.
