KUALA LUMPUR – Singaporeans were seen standing in long lines in several food courts for a bite of the city-state’s popular chicken dishes while prices of fresh poultry went up yesterday – a day before Malaysia’s export ban took effect.
Singaporean news site CNA reported long queues and brisk business at chicken rice stalls in Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex as well as other hawker outlets.
It also found that a stall owner selling soy sauce chicken saw a dip in business as the items were more expensive due to the supplier’s price hikes.
The stall owner was quoted as saying that her supplier informed her of the price hike as the chickens are imported from Malaysia.
She added that she may have to sell other dishes or use frozen poultry as higher prices will put off her customers.
On May 22, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued an advisory saying that Singaporeans should diversify their food consumption and avoid hoarding while importers should bring in more frozen poultry from non-Malaysian sources.
According to SFA, some 34% of its chicken imports last year were from Malaysia and almost all were imported as live chickens, which were slaughtered and chilled in Singapore.
This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced a ban on poultry exports from June 1 onwards as Malaysia grapples with a supply shortage, rising livestock feed prices and insufficient agriculture subsidies.
He said the export ban, which involves approximately 3.6 million birds monthly, will be in place until the situation in the country stabilises.
He also warned against any activities of hiding poultry supplies or involvement in any elements of sabotage as business licences would be revoked with immediate effect. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
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