May 26, 2022

 

Malaysian poultry breeders association says businesses will be badly affected by chicken export ban

 

 

Lau Ka Leng, the Johor Poultry Breeders (Small and Medium) Association secretary, said Malaysian poultry farmers' businesses will be badly affected by chicken export ban as Singapore will be looking at other countries to replace chicken from Malaysia, The Star reported.

 

Lau recalled a similar approach by Malaysia, when the country imposed a temporary ban on egg exports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

He stated there was a lack of eggs on the local market at the time, so the government decided to stop egg exports to accommodate local demand.

 

Lau said before the ban, Malaysia shipped about four million eggs to Singapore monthly. After the ban was lifted, Singapore lowered its Malaysian egg imports by half, resulting in a surplus of eggs in Malaysia.

 

Lau is concerned that after the domestic chicken supply has stabilised, Singapore may cut its imports of chicken from Malaysia, resulting in losses for local poultry farmers.

 

From June 1, Malaysia will halt exporting 3.6 million whole chickens per month until production and prices stabilise.

 

To boost the country's chicken supply, more international abattoirs will be recognised, and poultry import permits would be eliminated.

 

The measures come as the country suffers a chicken supply shortage and rising costs.

 

According to figures from Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries' Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia exported more than 49 million live chickens and 42.3 tonnes of chicken and duck meat in 2020.

 

In 2021, Singapore bought about 73,000 tonnes of chicken from Malaysia, accounting for more than a third of its total chicken supply. Data from the Singapore Food Agency showed chicken is the most frequently consumed meat in Singapore, with a per capita consumption of 36 kg in 2020.

 

-      The Star