Govt to boost cheaper egg supply as subsidy set to end

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will increase the production of lower-priced special grade chicken eggs following the government’s decision to end egg subsidies beginning Aug 1.

Its minister Mohamad Sabu said this would provide the public with more affordable egg options while helping to stabilise prices.

“We also aim to increase the supply of cheaper special grade eggs like those sold during Ramadan recently, which were priced at RM5 per tray.

“This time, we’re not sure what the price will be, but we are confident it will not spike uncontrollably,” he told reporters after attending Terengganu Pakatan Harapan’s Aidilfitri Open House yesterday.

On April 30, the ministry announced the subsidy removal and stated that several intervention measures would be implemented jointly with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to minimise the impact on the cost of living.

Among these measures, it said the government has secured the industry’s commitment to introduce special grade eggs at reasonable prices.

Soft landing assured

Mohamad said, in addition to special grade eggs, the public can obtain competitively priced eggs through nationwide initiatives such as Agro Madani and Rahmah sales.

He also emphasised that the decision to completely end both the egg subsidy and price controls, as well as the reduction in subsidy rate from RM0.10 to RM0.05 per egg, effective May 1, was made through stakeholder engagement.

“The decision was made via consultation. We negotiated first with egg producers and industry players. We also implemented the removal in a soft landing manner, not abruptly. Hence, I believe egg prices will not surge,” he explained.

Coconut farming

The minister also encouraged the cultivation of local young coconuts, especially aromatic varieties like pandan coconuts, in response to rising demand from China.

“This presents an opportunity, for example, for Terengganu with its vast land area to focus on this crop, which can generate good income.

“China has a population of over 1.4 billion, with more than 800 million having spending power... this is a real economic opportunity,” Mohamad said.

On April 19, Agriculture Department director-general Nor Sam Alwi said the opening of the fresh coconut market to China under the Phytosanitary Requirements Protocol marks a strengthening of biosecurity measures and the establishment of a more systematic traceability element in quality young coconut production.

He said Malaysia will export young coconuts primarily for fresh beverage consumption, with priority given to aromatic varieties such as pandan coconuts, which are known for their unique fragrance and a brix sweetness level of around 6.7.

- Bernama

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