KUALA LUMPUR – Consumers will have to brace for pricier chicken as early as February when the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme wraps up.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi told The Star that the potential price increase is linked to higher operation costs and imported animal feed.
He added that his ministry is working with the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry to stabilise the prices of essential food items.
“Right now, the ceiling price for chicken up to February 4 is RM9.10 per kg. Yesterday we discussed the reasons linked to rising operating costs among poultry farmers,” he told reporters after meeting flood victims at the Sg Rambai temporary relief centre in Jasin, Melaka.
He added that any decision made will have to take into account the issues faced by poultry farmers.
“If they cannot resume their operations, we could be out of food supplies. We must be sensitive and I would like to appeal to Malaysians to understand the situation.”
The price scheme launched last month applies to essential items such as chicken, eggs, and vegetables.
Earlier, the government allowed the import of frozen whole chickens to help reduce the prices of the item in the market.The move was to last three months, expected to end in February. – The Vibes, January 7, 2022
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