July 16, 2013

Reports on Sunday (Jul 14) indicated that prices remain high in Perlis and Terengganu but prices in Sarawak have not gone up.

A check at the markets in Perlis showed that chicken was being sold at MYR8/kilogramme (kg) (US$2.50) at the Kangar market, lower than at the Behor Lateh weekly market and Taman Sena farmers' market where it is going for MYR8.50/kg (US$2.70). Fresh chicken is being sold in Abi at MYRB7.90/kg (US$2.50) and at Beseri, at MYR7.70 (US$2.42).

Traders said the prices were the best yet as they had been acquiring wholesale chicken at high prices for over a week. A check at several Ramadan bazaars in Kangar showed that cooked chicken was being sold at MYR3/piece (US$0.94). A food trader said the uncertain prices of fresh chicken contributed to the higher prices of the cooked meat.

In Terengganu, a check at the Payang market showed that the price of standard processed chicken was between MYR8.80 (US$2.77) and MYR9/kg (US$2.83) while grilled chicken and roast chicken at the Ramadan bazaar was going for MYR25 (US$7.86) per bird.

Several consumers said they had to bargain hard and frequent the same seller to get a slightly better price. Chicken trader said the rise in prices this time was the highest in 10 years. Another trader said business was affected as he could only sell about half of the 80 birds he used to sell by noon daily.

In Sarawak, the prices of chicken have not gone up. A check at the Satok market in Kuching showed that prices ranged from MYR8.50/kg to MYR9.50/kg (US$2.67-2.98), below the ceiling price of MYR9.50 (US$2.98) for the state.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, had said that he had not ruled out that the sharp rise in poultry prices was due to price manipulation by retailers as the farm price remained unchanged at MYR5/kg (US$1.57) while supply was adequate.

He said the retail prices had shot up to between MYR8.50/kg (US$2.67) and MYR9/kg (US$2.83) although the ministry had fixed the ceiling price at MYR7.80/kg (US$2.45). He added the demand for chicken was normally 1.2 million birds a day but increased to 2.2 million to 2.4 million a day nationwide during Ramadan through Aidilfitri.