May 19, 2022

Malaysian poultry sector to protest delayed subsidy payments by shutting down farms

Malaysian poultry sector cartels are planning to shut down chicken farms over the coming weekend to protest delayed government subsidy payments, Malay Mail reported.

A livestock farm company in Melaka state sent a circular to suppliers informing them there will be no chicken supplies on May 21 and May 22 due to issues in the livestock farm.

The source who revealed the circular said they are closing down farms due to soaring costs of bran and chicks, and the delay in subsidy payments from the government.

Utusan Malaysia, another major newspaper in the country, put the spotlight on the poultry sector cartel that controls the domestic chicken market price, which results in volatility in prices.

The newspaper said Malaysia's livestock industry is controlled by large cartels that use associations as way to hide their actions.

The source blamed Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs (KPDNHEP) for failing to address the issue of farmers facing growing operating costs as a result of high wheat and poultry feed prices.

The source said KPDNHEP has to fix this situation, but they only want to be the 'champion' in order to keep the chicken price low without addressing the farmers' core issue.

-      Malay Mail