KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — One of Malaysia’s most popular sources of protein, chickens and their eggs, have seen prices shoot up in recent weeks, raising the eyebrows of their consumers.
The latest prices of a standard processed chicken range from RM8.50 to RM11 while the commonly bought Grade B eggs range from RM0.40 to RM0.49 in the peninsula and Sabah, and RM0.36 to RM0.38 in Sarawak, based on the latest food commodity list by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).
Tiny Labuan has the highest price, at RM0.52 per egg.
The Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) attributes the latest price surge for poultry to the rising cost of raw materials for chicken feed and labour charges.
It explained that chicken broiler and eggs prices are heavily affected because chicken feed constitutes approximately 70 per cent of poultry farmer’s overall production cost.
According to FLFAM, the two main ingredients for chicken feed — corn and soybean — have increased dramatically in the past year by 80 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.
“This cost of raw feed materials is beyond the control of the poultry industry and it affects not only Malaysia but the whole world.
“As it is an imported ingredient, the price of these imports is affected by the availability such as the weather in the producing countries,” it said in a statement yesterday.
FLFAM cited Brazil as an example, saying the country’s corn and soybean production is deeply affected by drought and cold weather.
As both raw materials are imported products, prices are also heavily affected by the ringgit’s current exchange value, FLFAM added.
Another factor that contributes to the rising prices of chicken broilers and eggs are the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on its labour force.
FLFAM stated that farms, whose workforce are heavily dependent on foreign workers, are facing labour shortages as well as increased costs to comply with SOPs set by the government.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has also affected the productivity of the poultry farms where the industry is dependent on foreign workers.
“The shortage of labour is an important factor whereby the farms are currently facing insufficient numbers of farmworkers to carry out the daily work of the labour-intensive jobs like cleaning the barns, catching of chicken and preparing the farm for new batches of replacement stock.
“Farms experienced increased costs due to the need to comply with the pandemic’s SOP requirements for farmworkers,” it said.
The association also said that many of the sector’s workforce had returned to their respective home countries due to the pandemic.
It said there’s now a shortage of farmhands nationwide as owners are challenged to find replacement workers. As such, farm owners have to pay their workers extra to work overtime.
FLFAM said the losses incurred by the poultry industry are well documented, especially for public companies listed in Bursa Malaysia.
Back in April, FLFAM has also issued a similar statement on the rising cost of chicken and eggs, where it has claimed that the cost of raw materials used in chicken feed has risen by more than 40 per cent since last year, along with an unspecified increase in labour costs.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/09/15/whys-my-chicken-and-egg-so-expensive-blame-it-on-their-feed-and-rearing-cha/2005657
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Created by savemalaysia | Aug 25, 2024
Partly bcos RM very weak mah!
Paklah time 1 usd = rm 3.00
Today 1 USD = Rm 4.20
Rm has depreciated 40% mah!
2021-09-15 10:34
So, is this recognition of Pak Lah finally since our MYR was stronger during his stint? Ah Pu Nei Nei always criticize him in the past as weak duckling?
2021-09-15 10:40
Raja Pusing always sarcastically said Budak hingus tingkat empat, or half past six policy of Pak Lah ... But, what we see now are all Raja pusing white elephants projects become JUNK during covid...not generate revenue at all...end up millions of migrants stay to build all this waste tax payee projects
2021-09-15 10:49
Pak Lah offended many within his party due to his fiscal prudence, cost saving policy cancelling off many white elephant projects. But, this will strengthen MYR indirectly make cost of import lower....
I don't think Raja Pusing not able to grasp this simple economy understanding.....Nation's debt fiscal balloon deficit now become bigger post Pak Lah onwards...Thus, MYR keep LAO SAI non stop....
2021-09-15 11:01
last time, MYR tend to increase with commodity price. Now, its start decoupling...Are we at stagflation which is NOT going to solve over-night??? why Bangla gomen can bring us within such short time to this critical level.... Rakyat not enjoying the fruits of high commodity price like in the past??
2021-09-15 11:23
1.4million civil servants+ all MP perks and pensions and our labor force need drastic cut and reform before we become next Greece...can you imagine just a small special adviser salary myr27K??? this is INSANE bangla monkey gomen
2021-09-15 11:32
SPORE pays the Minister millions even more than USA, but spore did very well....bcos he pays for good people & good talent & not wasteful mah!
2021-09-15 12:13
Actually Malaysia has the biggest supply of wild boars! More than enough for the next 20 years!
Why eat expensive chicken when you can catch free wild boar! I wish i know how to catch them! Better than fishing! May take it as a new hobby soon!
2021-09-15 12:16
Damn! Suddenly i want to go to Sarawak! Those fresh wild boar meat bbq straight away over charcoal with just a simple dipping sauce, heaven!
2021-09-15 12:20
bearded wild boar got virus infected Sabahan now...like covid...Our diet is one of main factors of covid.
2021-09-15 12:20
Wild boar meet more expensive than chicke meat lah!
Posted by Tobby > Sep 15, 2021 12:16 PM | Report Abuse
Actually Malaysia has the biggest supply of wild boars! More than enough for the next 20 years!
Why eat expensive chicken when you can catch free wild boar! I wish i know how to catch them! Better than fishing! May take it as a new hobby soon!
2021-09-15 12:23
chinaman
Dulu, Pak Lah cerita pertanian moden, tingkatkan produktiviti dan sumber makanan...Semua ketawa konon ketinggalan zaman ...Karang, padan muka - cerita ayam, telur mahal.... makan rumput bagui
2021-09-15 09:56