Govt prepares 'soft landing' for poultry price float

PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya will lift the ban on chicken exports from July 1 in conjunction with the cessation of price controls for poultry.

This was among several “soft landing” measures that Putrajaya will be implementing once subsidies for chicken and egg producers end on June 30.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu told the Dewan Rakyat that poultry producers will be able to export live chickens, dressed chickens, and chicken parts, but not “day-old chicks”.

“This will allow poultry producers to generate revenue from the export market and assist income flow to the country,” he said.

Secondly, said Mohamad, Putrajaya will allow the import of chicken from Thailand, China, Brazil, and Denmark. Egg imports will be allowed from Thailand and Ukraine.

He said Putrajaya will also continue the Farmers’ Organisation Authority’s dressed chicken stockpiling programme as well as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority’s Madani Agro Sales programme that will sell agricultural products at 5 to 10 percent below market prices to target groups.

Mohamad said this in a written reply to Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Perikatan Nasional-Masjid Tanah) who urged the government to reveal if there are any detailed studies done prior to the decision to scrap poultry subsidies.

Putrajaya subsidises poultry producers to cap chicken and egg prices occasionally, especially during festive seasons.

The Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration previously tried to scrap subsidies on July 1 last year. However, the cabinet decided against it two days before and instead elected to raise the ceiling price slightly for chicken and eggs.

Poultry producers were under sustained pressure over the last two years due to an increase in feed cost, primarily due to supply issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Putrajaya allocated RM369.5 million for poultry subsidies.

Five suppliers in Johor under probe for selling chicken above ceiling price

Ceiling prices of chicken, egg remain until after Aidilfitri – Salahuddin

Wee spices up Dewan Rakyat debate with three eggs

Prices of chicken, eggs to be floated after June - minister

Poultry subsidies: Veterinary Dept still waiting for instructions