Price hike, fewer chicken dishes

Some consumers say that because of the increase in chicken price they are limiting their dishes.

SEREMBAN: The chicken price has increased from RM7.50 to RM8.50 per kilogram from the start of Ramadan and consumers are feeling the pinch .

A visit to the Seremban wet market confirmed this increase. Consumer Faridah Osman, 45, when asked complained that the steep hike has burdened her especially in this month of Ramadan.

“It is a norm for me to cook extra dishes for my family during Ramadan, but due to the increase in price I have to limit it” said Faridah.

Housewife Maria Faizlin Mohd, 30 said that the chicken price has indeed affected her marketing budget. “I use to buy two chickens before but with the current price, I have cut down to one,” she said.

“The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs must monitor the pricing to safeguard consumers’ interest. The government must be firm and take appropriate actions to curb the prices,” said Maria.

However housewife, Tuan Yusniza Tuan Yusof, 31, differs in opinion. She says that the current price of RM8.50 per kilogram is acceptable.

“Nowadays everything (goods) goes up, so it’s normal for chicken price to go up too.”

Meanwhile, chicken seller, Azizan Masri, 45 who has been doing business here for the past 15 years, feels that price control on chickens by the government does not benefit the customers.

He said “pricing should be determined by market demand.”

“Yes there are times the price goes up especially during festival and wedding seasons (school holidays).But there are times the price falls drastically when demand is low.

The consumer benefits during this off peak periods,” explained Azizan.

Azizan said the chicken price is still considered cheap compared to the price of fish, mutton, meat and vegetables.

“Consumers must understand that the overhead cost to get the chickens from farms is very high.”

“I buy from a supplier in Yong Peng, Johor. I have two workers who will drive the lorry all the way from Seremban to Yong Peng to get the chickens.

“Each return trip cost me RM250 in fuel, RM70.00 for toll and RM150.00 in wages for my two workers. 2,000 chickens are bought in each trip but some die while in transit and I have to absorb the cost too,” he said.