Putrajaya turns to importation to cope with soaring chicken prices

Putrajaya will allow the temporary importation of frozen whole chickens to address surging prices due to a shortage of domestic supply.

The Agriculture and Food industries Ministry acknowledged that the shortage had caused chicken prices to spike by as high as RM10 per kg.

To address this, it said the country will allow the importation of 10,000 metric tonnes or 5.5 million frozen whole chickens a month from December until February 2022.

"Companies that wish to import will need to be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and must possess cold storage facilities.

"Import permission will only be granted from approved countries and slaughter factories that are approved by the government.

"The import permission is a temporary measure until the supply of chicken by the local industry can be stabilised," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the country needs 3,762 metric tonnes or 2.09 million chickens a day and 113,220 metric tonnes or 62.9 million chickens a month.

However, it said since October, there had been an average shortage of about 18 percent and this is expected to persist.

"The shortage is due to a drastic surge in demand due to the reopening of the economy beginning October, particularly from hotels, restaurants and catering services," it said.

It said the temporary importation should help ensure sufficient supply and reasonable prices. - Mkini