KUALA LUMPUR – A poultry farmer has stepped forward to divulge insider details on the issue of a shortage of chickens in the market, following allegations of chickens being rationed by irresponsible parties with a hidden agenda.
The Vibes’ sister publication Getaran reported that farm owner and chicken breeder Yani Hardinata Hairuddin, who is also the owner of chicken supplier Wak Akob, shared that the matter was triggered by the stark price increase of imported raw materials.
Noting that the price of chicken used to depend on costs involved without any fixed pricing, he said that everyone part of the chicken business – from bran manufacturers to traders – did not face any problems.
“Because of the weakness of our ringgit, rising international shipping costs and supply factors, the price of corn has increased (more than 100% in 2021).
“Soybean prices have also increased (more than 30%) as well as wheat prices. All these ingredients are main components of bran (more than 80%) and they are imported,” he said on the Wak Akob Facebook page.
He added that bran must be produced accurately so that the chickens receive sufficient nutrients and can efficiently grow to the maximum within a stipulated period.
“Chicken breeds here are mostly imported such as COBB, ROSS, and Indian River. They eat whole grain corn instead of sweet corn from Cameron Highlands.
“Corn is not widely grown in Malaysia and we do not import these materials in small quantities. Within a year, more than 3.9 million metric tonnes of grain maize and over 1.4 million metric tonnes of soybeans are imported,” he said.
Explaining the link between rising costs of raw materials and the increase in bran prices, he pointed out that livestock costs will not be spared from the equation.
The expenses had soared beyond a 50% increase, from RM80 per 50kg to RM120 per 50kg – leading to the increased cost of livestock.
Subsequently, chicken prices went up until the price was controlled on December 4 last year.
The controlled price was set at RM9.30 without any subsidies or price control on bran.
The farmer claimed that bran manufacturers and breeders have long absorbed the increase in prices so that consumers are not burdened, adding that when the controlled price had been set, farmers’ profits decreased and they suffered losses.
“We breeders reduce the number of chickens on the farms so that we can cut our losses. That’s why there is a lack of chickens now.
“There is no conspiracy or agenda, only farmers who want to continue surviving,” he said, lamenting how when controlled prices had decreased, some farmers were forced to end their operations.
“RM9.10, then RM8.90 and some for just RM8. It’s not that there are no chicks or the ones we have are defective, but who wants to breed chickens if they only bring losses?” he said.
Expressing his hope for a solution from the government, he said that besides farmers, traders and workers in the industry are also at risk of losing their jobs and source of income.
He voiced his hope that a middle ground can be reached so that the industry can survive while consumers can purchase basic food items at an affordable price.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the weekly cabinet meeting will be brought forward to today to discuss cost of living and food supply issues.
He said the anticipated increase in the cost of living is a global phenomenon due to, among others, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic, which have affected food production and supply. – Getaran, May 23, 2022
