Eggs-cellent picks: A worker preparing eggs for distribution near Jalan Raja Bot wet market. The government has postponed plans to float the price of eggs although subsidies on chicken have ben removed. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Egg prices could increase by RM3 per tray if prices are allowed to float now, says the Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister.
Datuk Chan Foong Hin said this was why the government decided to postpone the move to allow egg prices to float.
“We are considering the possibility of egg prices increasing after allowing them to float.
“Eggs are a fundamental source of protein, and we anticipate a more severe market reaction after allowing egg prices to float, compared with chicken,” he told a media briefing at the ministry yesterday.
He said one of the reasons the egg supply had not stabilised was due to a shortage of imported breeder chickens.
Chan also said the ministry had been allocated RM6.17bil in Budget 2024, of which RM2.6bil would be channelled to food subsidies.
Therefore, he said the government could not offer more subsidies and assistance to small and medium-sized poultry farms.
“The ministry is facing a dilemma, and we hope to help farmers and ensure food security for the people. Additionally, Malaysians are accustomed to subsidies, so phasing out subsidies should be done gradually,” he added.
Chan said the government allocated RM3.8bil for egg and chicken subsidies from February 2022 to Sept 30 this year.
“Our country’s demand for eggs is 942.15 million units per month, with an average annual consumption of 371.2 eggs per person,” he added.
Malaysia’s egg production ranks third among Asean countries, following Indonesia and the Philippines.
Despite previously indicating that the price of both chicken and eggs would be floated, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu on Tuesday announced that the price of eggs will continue to be controlled.
The retail ceiling price for Grade A eggs is 45sen each; Grade B is 43sen each and Grade C 41sen each.
