KOTA KINABALU – Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said Sabah is not facing a chicken and egg shortage crisis – as the state is self-sufficient production-wise, but fears prices may increase due to imported supplies.
The state agriculture and fisheries minister said the import of chicken only accounts for 20% of the total supply which involved chicken parts like chicken wings.
Sabah currently slaughters 100,000 chickens and produces some 2.5 million eggs a day which allows the state to be self-sufficient.
“Sabah is not facing a shortage of chicken and egg supply. We still have many of them.
“This is largely because many of the people in the villages keep chicken and eggs and do not need to buy them from the market.
“The state is also sufficient in terms of fish and pork, but not meat, which we currently rely heavily on imports.
“My only fear is during the festivities where the supply of imported chicken faces a shortage and the prices go up,” he told reporters here today.
Jeffrey said Sabah also exports its chicken to nearby countries like Brunei and Singapore, but added priority is given to domestic sufficiency.
He said the consumption of locally bred chicken will be the main supply in the event of an imminent shortage of supply in Sabah in the future.
Sabah businesses do not need the AP to import whole chicken and chicken parts but they are required to get import permits to control the spread of zoonotic diseases among animals.
Import permits are only issued during festivities like Hari Raya where demands are unusually high.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stopped the export of 3.6 million chickens per month until the price and production stabilise. This is a short-term solution to the supply crisis in the country at present.
On another note, Jeffrey said preparations for the Kaamatan Harvest Festival finale at the KDCA Hall in Penampang on May 30 and 31 are going well.
He also noted that the number of Covid-19 infections is under control and there are no new clusters reported in Sabah at present. Jeffrey however reminded visitors to the KDCA Hall to practice health procedures at all times when merry-making.
“There’s a 1,000 pax limit inside the hall on that day but the outside compound is for all visitors to come around, including children.
“The traditional houses will be open during the finale, while performances will be held inside the hall, outside the hall on a stage and separately in the traditional houses,” said Jeffrey, adding that Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will be attending the launch at the KDCA hall on May 31. – The Vibes, May 24, 2022
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