PEKAN: Keropok lekor producers in Kuala Pahang are now facing another problem after the recent floods -- the price increases of raw materials, including fish and sago flour.

There is a limited supply of fish due to bad weather while some fishermen are still struggling to get back on their feet after their houses were affected by floods.

The cottage industry was hit when Pekan was cut off after the main roads were inundated for almost two weeks.

Azma Sulaiman, 30, said keropok lekor producers, like her, had to get fish supplies from other areas as it was difficult to get it from local fishermen.

She said fish prices had increased to RM180 per container compared with RM120 previously.

"I was told that the fish comes from Kuantan and in some cases, the supplier gets them from Perak and Penang," she said, adding that a gunny sack of sago flour cost an extra RM5.

Minah Wahab, 47, said many producers had to increase the price of keropok lekor as they could no longer absorb the extra costs.

For the past week, keropok lekor was sold at RM11 per kilogramme, RM1 higher than the normal price.

"We have to increase the price to stay in business," said Minah.

Checks at keropok lekor stalls here showed that it was being sold at between 20 sen and 50 sen per piece.

A seller who wanted to be known only as Aman said he was selling five pieces of keropok lekor for RM1.

However, he admitted the size of each piece was smaller in order to maintain profits.