( dpa ) - Singapore's supply of fruits and vegetables for the Chinese New Year period are unlikely to be affected by the fierce winter storms in China, importers said on Friday.
Apples and pears have already been harvested and are in cold storage, Tay Khiam Back, chairman of the Singapore Fruits and Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association, told The Straits Times.
"The only impact is the delay in their transport due to the poor weather conditions at the ports," Tay was quoted as saying.
Any delay would not last longer than a few days or affect prices of fruits and vegetables in the city-state, he said.
Singapore imports 25 per cent of its vegetables and 18 per cent of its fruit from China.
Vegetable importers can quickly switch from China to other sources such as Malaysia, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
"This will help to mitigate any price increases," the AVA said.