Tuesday February 14, 2006
Indian exporters’ monopoly pushing prices to record highs
By EDDIE CHUA
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian consumers are paying almost double for Indian beef now as a cartel monopolising the trade is dictating the export price.
The retail price of Indian beef has swelled from RM6.50 per kilo a year ago to between RM9 and RM10 per kilo now, depending on the cut.
 |
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin |
“We are looking at ways to reduce the monopoly. One way is to open the market and allow more foreign abattoirs to supply beef to Malaysia.
“If more abattoirs supply beef to the country, the price will be more competitive. This can help bring down current prices,” he told The Star yesterday.
Muhyiddin, however, said that only abattoirs that supplied halal meat would be allowed to export their products here.
He said the authorities were looking at several countries to supply beef to Malaysia, but declined to name them.
It is learnt that Pakistan and Bangladesh were among the countries being considered.
Malaysia now depends on India for 90% of its beef supply, with the rest sourced from South America and China.
The country imports about 6,000 tonnes of beef from India monthly.
A Veterinary Services Department source said the increase in Indian beef prices began last year when the authorities in India reduced the number of slaughterhouses from six to four.
“Taking advantage of the situation, the exporters started to dictate the prices of beef. Importers have no choice but to buy at high prices to avoid a shortage,” said the source.
The source said the price of Indian beef further escalated six months ago, when New Zealand and Australian abattoirs were barred from exporting their products to Malaysia for failing to meet halal standards.
Malaysian importers are only allowed to source for beef from certified slaughterhouses.
Indian beef is actually buffalo meat. It is popular among locals and cheaper compared with other imported beef or local beef, sold at between RM16 and RM18 a kg.
Muhyiddin said he would hold talks with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to regulate the price of Indian beef.
“If the price continue to rise further, the Price Control Act may be invoked.”
Importers are paying about US$10mil (RM37mil) for the imports compared with US$6.3mil (RM23.3mil) before the price increase.
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- Heavy vehicle ban during CNY rush
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
RSS
