October 16, 2012
Malaysia to help duck breeders on new export markets
Malaysia's Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry will check the Perak Duck Breeders Association's concerns, including finding new export markets.
Deputy Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said he had asked the association to provide details of the problems it faced. Chua would then instruct the Veterinary Services Department to look into ways to help the breeders.
"Malaysia has previously exported ducks to Japan, but this stopped following the bird flu outbreak in 2004," he said after a visit to the duck farm and a slaughter house in Terong.
"After the outbreak ended, there was no response from Japan. The breeders now hope to tap into other markets too."
Chua said Malaysia produced 30 million ducks last year and about six million were exported to Singapore. The association hopes it could do the same with other export markets as the price and demand fluctuate according to the market in Singapore.
"A drop in demand has caused duck farms here to close operations. The association hopes to tap into markets such as the Middle East to stabilise demands," he said.
