June 3, 2008

Malaysian chickens break through ceiling price

A sudden rise in ex-farm prices of chicken prices in Malaysia has taken traders by surprise, The Star, a Malaysian newspaper reported.

Traders received letters from the Federation of Livestock Farmers Association notifying them of the new price, which took effect immediately. The ex-farm ceiling price for live chicken was now RM4.80 (US$1.48)instead of RM4.50 (US$1.39 ).

It was not known if the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, which had set the ceiling price, had given its approval.

Malaysian farmers have been complaining about high feed prices in recent months, but at the same time, the government forbids them to raise prices to contain food inflation in the country.