October 29, 2004

Demand for Beef Price Hike in Malaysian State Rejected

Beef producers in Malaysian state Kuching requested for the maximum retail price of beef to be raised to RM25 per kg. However their demand was rejected by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. 

The ministry felt the asking price was too high and would burden consumers who were about to celebrate Hari Raya, a local festival, according to State Enforcement director Halim Iskandar Sulaiman. 

"We think we have fixed a reasonable price although it is higher compared to the Peninsula," he said after inspecting prices and festive stocks at the Choice Supermall in Petra Jaya. 

At Kuching, the maximum retail price of fresh beef is fixed at RM20 per kg. The price is RM24 in Miri and Marudi, and is cheapest at RM18 in Sibu, Mukah and Dalat. 

Only beef prices which were fixed by the ministry rose by RM2 this year, as compared with a year ago. 

Prices for local mutton, which has been included as a controlled item this year, have been fixed at RM28 per kg in Kuching and RM26 for the rest of the state. Prices in Peninsular Malaysia are between RM18 and RM23 per kg. 

Sarawak Agriculture Department statistics show there are only about 9,000 cows, 11,300 buffaloes, 8,700 goats and 6,600 sheep in the state. 

The state produces about 500 tons of beef compared with the consumption of 6,500 tons per year. 400 tons of mutton are needed a year, but production is only at 36 tons.