KUALA LUMPUR – Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu today confirmed egg imports from Thailand and India have been discontinued.
The earlier decision to import eggs was to ensure sufficient supply in the country, he explained in a parliamentary written reply yesterday.
“The government’s measure to allow egg imports from Thailand, or any other source, was an additional step to diversify sources of egg supply to meet sudden demand or supply shortages,” the minister said.
Mohamad was replying to Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam-BN), who asked for a justification for egg imports from Thailand, and the current status of imports from India.
He added that no imports from India have been recorded since January, and no subsidies will be given for imported eggs.
Wee also asked why the ministry did not focus on local egg suppliers, which he said could avoid outflow of local supply to other countries.
In response, Mohamad said local egg suppliers are always a top priority to ensure sufficient supply in Malaysia, and that the initiative was not intended to put pressure on local suppliers.
“The ministry is committed to continuously developing the local egg industry via engagement sessions with the Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia to get opinions from local farmers on the matter,” he said. – The Vibes, June 16, 2023
