A week into Malaysia's chicken export ban

Lion cityer wrote a column · Jun 9, 2022 11:21

On Jun 1, Malaysia halted the export of about 3.6 million whole chickens a month, in an attempt to stabilize domestic supplies and bring down chicken prices.

Small stalls are closed, while others have found a way to handle the issue.

Source: BT FILE

Continued supply is critical

The most critical thing for restaurants now is to find sufficient stock and look for alternatives.

Mr Affandi Abdul Rahman, who runs a chicken rice and ayam penyet store at Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre along with his household, is relieved that he can still keep his enterprise operating.

His Malaysian provider of 14 years remains to be supplying him with chilled chicken, though Mr Affandi lamented before that utilizing frozen chicken will end result in lower than ideally suited style, pointing to inferior texture and lack of a pleasant after-taste when served.

On Wednesday, Mr Affandi said that his trusted provider has discovered an answer to ship the chicken.

Price hike for frozen chicken

The situation at moist markets and supermarkets could differ. Halal poultry stall Nur Muhammad Meat Enterprise said that people are still buying frozen chicken, but prices are much higher. Before the ban, frozen chicken are sold at S$5 per kg, but now they are sold at S$10 per kg.

While supermarkets said that they had not seen any spike in consumer demand that might have been fuelled by shortage fears, and are supplementing supplies with frozen chicken.

What's next?

"If there's no chicken in the East, head to the West to buy it!"

Tan Kok Ming, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Environment, revealed that more frozen chicken from Australia and Thailand, as well as frozen chicken from Brazil and the United States, would be introduced locally.

Are chickens and chicken rice becoming more expensive in your neighborhood?

Leave your comment to discuss with other mooers.

Disclaimer: Community is offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. and is for educational purposes only. Read more