April 30, 2004

 

 

Sharp Rise In Brunei Poultry Prices

 

Poultry prices in Brunei have skyrocketed in the past week following a supply shortage and increased feed costs. The price of chicken which fell to a low at the end of last year now has shot up to $6 per kilogram in some places.

 

Chicken now costs $4.20 to $4.50 per kg in the Brunei Muara District and is as high as $6 in KB. It used to cost around $2.30 per kg at the end of last year. The price moved up to $3.50 per kg in February and March and now has nearly doubled.

 

Chicken farmers and suppliers said the price of chicken is set to increase again as suppliers told them that they are going to increase the price of chicken feed by $1.50 per kg.

 

"At present the price of chicken feed is $30 per bag, up from $25 to $29 a few months ago.

 

"With another planned price hike for chicken feed we will have to increase the price of chicken again," said local chicken farmers.

 

He said the price of live fowl sold to middlemen is $2.80 per kg, up 50 cents from $2.30 per kg a few months ago.

 

"The public must understand that the increase in the price of chicken was due to the increase in the cost of chicken feed as well as an increase in the price of a day-old chick.

 

Local chicken suppliers obtained their chicken feed from the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak.

 

The local farmers said they are satisfied with the current price of chicken in the market.

 

"It's a win-win situation for us. We have been supplying chicken at loss for a few months late last year," they said.