The Poultry Issue: What’s Behind It and How to Cope?
- Domestic production of poultry was more than meeting domestic food consumption from 2010 to 2020. However, it was insufficient to meet national demand for final consumption, including the use as inputs for food processing since 2012.
- The COVID-19 pandemic, labour shortage, diseases, weather conditions and the Russia-Ukraine war have taken their toll at different levels of the supply chain, from broiler farm, production process, wholesaler and retailer.
- Prices of standard and super chicken have been increasing since April 2020, of which the average growth rates of both were recorded at 1.2% per month from Feb 2020 to May 2020. Grade A, B and C eggs increased between 1.1% and 1.4% per month from Feb 2020 to May 2022.
- Notably, the increase in chicken prices was significant. For instance, the standard chicken was priced at RM8.90 - RM12.00 per kg at the retail level, whereas the price ceiling was just RM8.90 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia (excluding Langkawi).
- Food security, price affordability and stability remain a national priority for all. There are no simple solutions but complex tasks to tackle food inflation and food security. Public-Private Partnership is needed to ensure a sustainable food supply and price affordability.
