Sandakan short on eggs due to unusual demand

SANDAKAN – The Sabah Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has been forced to ration the supply of eggs to 3,000 per day at 19 areas in four districts in the state, following an unusual demand for the product.

It has chosen the 19 areas – Sandakan (12), Kinabatangan (3), and Beluran and Telupid (2 each) – as benchmarks.

The ministry in a statement today said it has been receiving complaints from Sandakan residents about a lack of eggs since early this month.

It assured consumers that it has been monitoring the situation and taken steps to ensure sufficient supply of the product in the affected areas.

The existing supply from two farms in Sandakan – Rich Evergreen Sdn Bhd and Prolific Quality Sdn Bhd – will be upped from 150,000 eggs per day to 246,000 eggs per day by sourcing addition supply from QL Farms Sdn Bhd in Tawau, it added.

The ministry has been working with the Sabah Veterinary Service Department to get an extra 66,000 eggs per day from Tawau for the consumption of residents in Beluran, Telupid, Sandakan and Kinabatangan.

Early last month, The Vibes had reported on the shortage of eggs in Sandakan. At the time, the ministry had stated that it will look into the matter with the department, but blamed the purchase of food baskets containing the product as the cause of the problem.

Today, it reiterated that the shortage is caused by the purchase of food baskets from retailers, thus draining the direct supply of eggs available to consumers.

“The phenomenon of empty racks (at retailers) is believed to have triggered a negative reaction, such as panic buying, among consumers.

“We urge humanitarian bodies and non-government organisations to source eggs from suppliers... by making early bookings to ensure constant and uninterrupted supply of essential goods to consumers.”

The ministry also reminded the public to not resort to panic buying, and for sellers to not take advantage by increasing the price of eggs.

Sellers found guilty of doing as such can face up to three years in jail or be fined up to RM100,000, or both, under Section 21 of the Price Control Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

Sandakan residents who wish to report a hike in egg prices or other related matters can contact the ministry’s district hotline at 08-966-8107. – The Vibes, August 23, 2021