August 16, 2010

Malaysia to issue chicken import permit

The Malaysian government is ready to issue the import permit of chicken to stabilise its price if it continues to rise, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom said.

He said the increase in the chicken price to about MYR7 (US$2.20) per kg compared to the farm price of MYR4.70 (US$1.48) per kg since the start of Ramadan was still reasonable.

"It is still cheap compared to the prices in the neighbouring countries. Transportation costs and an increase in demand could be the cause for the hike," the minister said.

Johari said last year the ministry offered to issue import permit for chicken but there were no takers because the price of chicken was still within the reasonable range. He also assured the people that there would be sufficient supply of chicken, meat and eggs during the Aidilfitri.

"Some 1.4 million to 1.5 million chickens are produced daily by farms in the country, which is more than the daily demand of about 1.3 million to 1.4 million," he said.