KUALA LUMPUR – The delay in the arrival of imported frozen chicken in the country is due to supply shortages in exporting countries, said Deputy Agriculture and Food Industry I Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah.
He said that as of last March 7, 4,000 metric tonnes of frozen chicken had been brought into the country by 14 companies with import permits.
“We were informed that there is a shortage of supply in Thailand and the price is uncompetitive...China is also facing a shortage and is trying to get its supply from Thailand,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this in response to a supplementary question from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (Setiu-PAS) on the obstacles facing companies with permits to bring frozen chicken into the country.
In December last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government would import frozen chicken to meet demand here and enable the people to get their supply of chicken at lower prices than local chicken.
Following that, the Agriculture and Food Industry said in a statement, said that the import of frozen chicken would be allowed for three months from December 2021 until last February.
Ahmad said local poultry operators would not be affected by delayed imports of frozen chicken as it would only be temporary until the domestic chicken supply was stable.
“The total import is small, covering 8.8% of consumer needs. The average chicken demand in the country is 3,762 tonnes (2.1 million heads) per day or 113,220 tonnes (62.9 million heads) per month,” he said.
He said the government had also allocated RM528.52 million to ease the burden of local poultry farmers by providing egg subsidies from February 5 to June 5 this year. – Bernama, March 15, 2022
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