September 1, 2004

Chicken Prices In Malaysia Return To Pre-Bird Flu Levels

Chicken prices in Malaysia have rebounded to the level before the bird flu case in a Kelantan village.

The bird flu outbreak last month had dampened the sales of chicken and caused a slide in pricing. But the market sentiment had now stabilised, according to the Selangor and Federal Territory Chicken and Duck Traders Association. 

The association said local demand for chicken had not been badly affected. Daily sales of around one million birds have remained relatively unchanged from pre-bird flu levels.  

"The excess meat was basically caused by countries banning chicken imports from Malaysia. We turned the extra meat into frozen products to have a longer shelf-life, and this has helped to stabilise the market," an association official said. 

However egg prices were lower because the eggs could not be frozen for long periods of time. 

Ex-farm price of live chickens presently cost RM 3.50 per kilo. Meanwhile, wholesale prices register RM 4 per kilo and retail prices were RM4.50 per kilo.