Who is manipulating the chicken market?

 

From Murray Hunter

Malaysia is currently undergoing a shortage of chicken due to local production failing to cope with demand. Malaysia’s antiquated and overzealous regulatory approach to the economy is damaging the dynamics of the chicken trade.

Setting a maximum price of RM9.30 per kg over the Chinese New Year and festive season, while controlling imports through selective approved permits (APs) or import licences, is distorting the market to the grave detriment of consumers.

Malaysia’s annual consumption of chicken is nearly 50kg per person, the prime source of protein for Malaysians. This equates to 1.62 million tonnes of consumption per annum, of which 98.4% was supplied by domestic producers in 2019.

Excess domestic capacity supplies 37% of Singapore’s consumption needs.

There are about 25 major producers in Malaysia, which include companies like Leong Hup Holdings, QSR Brands, FFM, Hy-Fresh, and Sum Soon. There are also a host of small and medium producers within the industry.

These companies tend to be active across the supply chain, thus integrating the industry.

The poultry industry has been the bright shining light of the livestock industry. Highly automated and capital intensive, it’s the only sector that produces in excess of national needs, leaving cattle and goat production far behind.

During the pandemic, local producers faced a 30% rise in the cost of production. Corn and soybean meals, which make up more than 60% of production costs, have risen due to the weakening of the ringgit, and the hike in shipping costs.

In addition, supply chain disruptions have led to shortages of feed additives, hindering production.

The temporary Malaysian Family Price Control Scheme, which has pegged a maximum price of chicken to RM8 wholesale and RM9.30 retail (per kg), is squeezing producers profit margin.

Many small to medium producers are suffering heavy financial losses. Without any government subsidies to assist, some producers have switched to the production of other value-added chicken-based consumer products to escape price controls.

Others sell their products on the black market outside price controls.

Last December, the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, Alexander Nanta Linggi assured consumers the government would allow the importation of chicken as a temporary measure to stabilise prices at the retail level.

Demand for chicken has drastically increased with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, which is outstripping the ability of local producers to cater for immediate demand.

According to reports, 32 companies were granted APs or import permits to overcome the shortage of chicken supply in mid to late December.

According to the agriculture and food industries minister Ronald Kiandee, the targeted source countries were Thailand, China, and Brazil, even though prices from these three countries were higher than sources from other countries, according to industry sources.

Thailand is currently facing a swine fever outbreak which has led to a sudden rise for demand of chicken. China is currently a net importer of chicken. Brazil is also a questionable source, as meat and chicken exports have been banned from most Middle Eastern destinations due to questions over halal integrity.

The high prices of Thai-produced chicken was publicly acknowledged by the director-general of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor, the officer responsible for issuing APs for importing chicken into Malaysia.

Mydin Emporium Group managing director Ameer Ali publicly exclaimed his disappointment that no retailers were granted import permits for chicken, even though they met all the requirements from DVS to be granted permits.

Granting import permits directly to retailers would have brought price relief to consumers, rather than chicken now having to go through wholesalers that apply their own margins to the product.

Industry insiders complained to the author that granting import permits to companies that were buying at US$2,000 per tonne, and selling onto retailers at RM8 per kg, was not in the public interest when submissions to DVS for import permits were able to source frozen chicken meeting Malaysian halal standards for US$1,300 per tonne.

On Feb 4, price controls will be lifted where prices should be expected to increase dramatically.

These savings could have taken a lot of stress on the market prices over the festive season.

Industry insiders also complained to the author that DVS and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) requested meetings with applicants for chicken APs specifying other conditions outside the application process.

This is at a time when many Malaysian consumers are financially stressed and the nation is facing chronic chicken shortages.

Malaysia’s global ranking in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index 2021 dropped five positions this year. Malaysia now ranks 62 out of 180, the lowest since the Corruption Perceptions Index was revised in 2012.

Regulations, bureaucracy and corruption seem to be costing Malaysian consumers.

A request was made to the director-general of DVS, Norlizan for an interview over the above issue. At the time of writing, no reply was received. Jakim was also contacted, with a reply stating the department wasn’t interested in an interview.

Murray Hunter is an independent researcher and former professor with the Prince of Songkhla University and Universiti Malaysia Perlis. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.