News

Singaporeans In A Flap At Malaysian Chicken Export Curbs

Long queues at stalls selling a popular chicken dish, increasing prices and warnings about supply disruptions — Singaporeans are in a flap due to curbs on poultry exports from neighbouring Malaysia.

Malaysia’s move to halt exports of 3.6 million chickens a month, which kicks in Wednesday, is the latest protectionist move in Asia aimed at tackling domestic shortages and taming surging inflation.

But the surprise step has caused consternation in Singapore, a tiny city-state that relies on its larger neighbour for a good chunk of food imports, including around a third of its chicken.

Of particular concern is the impact on chicken rice, a hugely popular dish of poached chicken, rice and chili dip, often sold at the city-state’s ubiquitous open-air food courts.

Chicken prices “will definitely go up”, said Foo Kui Lian, founder of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, one of the best-known stalls selling the dish in Singapore.

“If (suppliers) raise prices by a lot we would have to raise ours a bit, or it’ll be difficult for us to survive.”

A day before the export curbs kicked in, a long queue formed at the stall as diners sought to get a taste of the dish before a feared surge in prices.

Office worker Meilan Lim was among those who bought the dish ahead of the restrictions.

“Even though I’m not really a chicken rice person, it’s just that sometimes you do have the craving,” she told AFP.

“So if (the ban is) going to be lasting for a while, it’s going to be a problem for me.”

Some stall holders have already hiked their prices, and officials are warning about disruptions to chicken supplies.

The city-state’s food agency has advised consumers to buy only what they need, consider buying frozen instead of refrigerated chicken, or shift to different meats.

Most chickens from Malaysia are imported to Singapore alive, and then slaughtered and chilled there. Frozen chicken is often imported from other countries, including Brazil.

Like many other countries, Malaysia is battling rising inflation, particularly when it comes to food, which prompted it to impose the curbs.

But Singapore — which has had a fractious relationship with Kuala Lumpur for decades — is also facing rising prices, with inflation at a decade-high.

Other countries that have taken protectionist measures include India, which banned wheat exports and Indonesia, which temporarily halted palm oil shipments.

The moves come as concerns grow worldwide about food insecurity caused by supply chain snarls, climate change and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a major grain producer.

Sources: AFP

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Toshiba Turns 95 with a Giant Fridge, Big Vibes & A Spot in the Malaysia Book of Records

Who says anniversaries are just cake and candles? For Toshiba’s 95th Anniversary Dealer Convention, it… Read More

3 days ago

Resorts World Sentosa’s Singapore Oceanarium Introduces New Experiences As Ticket Sales Go Live

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS, 圣淘沙名胜世界) has announced that ticket sales have launched for Singapore Oceanarium… Read More

3 days ago

Barista Brews at Prices You Won’t Believe Exist

Think handcrafted coffee always comes with a hefty price tag? Think again. Across Malaysia, cafés… Read More

3 days ago

POCO Introduces POCO F7: Where Futuristic Design Meets Exceptional Power

POCO, a leading technology brand among young tech enthusiasts, today unveiled POCO F7, setting a… Read More

3 days ago

Proton Owners Hit the Road for Wellness: AG Autoworld x Herbal Farmer Flag Off First-Ever Fun Drive in Johor

What do you get when you mix wellness, good vibes, and 30 Proton cars? A… Read More

3 days ago

OMSMC Earns Spot in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025

Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre (OMSMC) has been listed in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025,… Read More

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.