December 9, 2022

 

Malaysia to import eggs to alleviate domestic shortage

Mohamad Sabu, Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Minister, said the country will import eggs to alleviate a local supply shortage, Channel News Asia reported.

 

He said the ministry is aware of the need for a consistent supply of eggs because Malaysians use them as a popular source of protein, with 968 million eggs consumed on average each month.

 

The ministry has identified a number of sources for the short-term and immediate supply of eggs needed in the market.

 

He said the ministry will ensure that the imported eggs are sanitary and meet the required standards, adding that the government's established protocols and procedures must be adhered to without exception.

 

An average of 968 million eggs consumed monthly in Malaysia.

 

The minister said the decision to import eggs was made to ensure that the nation's supply of eggs was not disrupted and that people's welfare was taken into consideration. The government does not intend to put pressure on local industry players.

 

He said they review the need to import chicken eggs once supply has stabilised.

 

The minister has given the ministry's secretary general instructions to look at how importing chicken eggs from abroad will affect current local players. Additionally, he requested that Agrobank submit ideas for keeping suppliers and small business owners competitive.

 

Agrobank is a government-owned bank in Malaysia that reports to the Minister of Finance and specialises in the agricultural industry.

 

The ministry constantly employs a variety of strategies to ensure that the nation's supply of chicken eggs is stable and sold at a profit.

 

Mohamad Sabu said the ministry is optimistic that the issue of the shortage of chicken eggs can be resolved in the near future.

 

-      Channel News Asia