News

Malaysian Chicken Export Curbs Ruffle Feathers

Malaysia’s move to cut exports of chickens to control soaring prices and combat domestic shortages ruffled feathers Tuesday, with neighbouring Singapore warning of supply disruptions.

The Southeast Asian nation is the latest country to curb food exports as prices surge, after India banned wheat shipments and Indonesia temporarily halted palm oil exports.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced late Monday that the export of up to 3.6 million chickens a month would be halted from June 1 “until prices and supply stabilise”.

“The government cares about and takes seriously the issue of rising prices and the current (low) supply of chickens that is hurting” Malaysians, he said in a statement.

The move followed mounting complaints in Malaysia but it triggered concerns in Singapore, a small city-state that relies in large part on its neighbour for food supplies.

Around a third of Singapore’s chicken imports came from Malaysia in 2021, according to the city-state’s food agency.

The agency warned of “temporary disruptions to the supply of chilled chicken”, but added they were working with importers to minimise the impact.

“We also advise consumers to buy only what they need,” it said in a statement.

Some stalls selling chicken at fresh produce markets in Singapore warned they might have to close temporarily as a result of the ban, news outlet CNA reported.

Malaysia also exports chickens to markets including Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong.

As well as curbing exports, Ismail Sabri said that Malaysia will seek to boost its chicken stocks, abolished some import permits, and vowed that price-fixing allegations would be investigated.

The country’s headline inflation rose to 2.2 percent in March, with food prices up four percent.

Concerns are growing worldwide about food insecurity due to climate change and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the World Bank warning this month that price increases were having “devastating effects”.

Sources: AFP

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Your September–October Watchlist: Food, Drama & Frights

Mark your calendars, TV junkies. September & October are serving drama, food wars, and spooky… Read More

7 hours ago

Pandora Talisman Drops, Ancient Coin Energy Meets Modern Vibes

Pandora is flipping the script this autumn with the launch of Pandora Talisman, a jewellery… Read More

9 hours ago

LADA Unveils ‘Langkawi Special Deals’ with MAG Partnership to Supercharge Island Tourism

The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has launched “Langkawi Special Deals”, a strategic tourism campaign featuring… Read More

9 hours ago

Maxim Rolls Out Partner-Driver Legalization Program to Elevate Compliance and Road Safety

Maxim, one of Malaysia’s leading e-hailing platforms, has officially introduced a Partner-Driver Legalization Program designed… Read More

11 hours ago

Sabah Crowned Malaysia’s Favourite Destination, A Paradise of Peaks, Seas, and Culture Awaits!

Sabah, located in the north-eastern part of Borneo, has officially earned the title of Malaysia’s… Read More

11 hours ago

Coca‑Cola Brings Back ‘Share a Coke’ Now With a Proudly Malaysian Twist

This Merdeka, Coca‑Cola is turning up the nostalgia and the local flavour. The iconic ‘Share… Read More

1 day ago

This website uses cookies.