March 23, 2011

 

Malaysian city's poultry price rises temporarily

 

 

Poultry price in Kuala Lumpur increased recently but this was only temporary and would become steady by next month.

 

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the current price hike for poultry was mainly because of the shortage of chicken as farmers had failed to meet the increasing demand since early this month.

 

He said the shortage was due to the Chinese New Year celebration in January and a high demand for poultry meat during the school holidays.

 

"There is enough poultry in the country. We have 120% self-sufficient supply of poultry to cater to the current demand," the minister said.

 

Consumers are feeling the pinch as prices have gone up to between RM8.10 and RM8.90 per kg at several places in the past two weeks.

 

To compound matters, prolonged floods and bad weather in Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor have affected the supply of poultry.

 

Another factor is the high cost of chicken feed, with prices having gone up by 60% because the feed are mostly imported.

 

Noh also said the supply of poultry in Malaysia would not be affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

 

"The country's food supply has remained steady despite the twin disasters in Japan as most of the meat is imported from China, Thailand and the EU countries."

 

Meanwhile, Veterinary Services Department director general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin said the country's daily demand for poultry was 1.2 million chickens.

 

"Chicken sellers have had to increase their prices to offset costs in transportation and other expenses," he added.