KUALA LUMPUR: The three-sen drop in retail prices of grade A, B and C eggs has been welcomed by the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Sabah National Consumer Foundation chairman David Chan said that people, particularly those in the B40 group, still rely on eggs and chicken as daily food sources, and it would burden them if the prices were free floated on the market.
Furthermore, chicken and egg traders would struggle to operate unless they were to raise their selling prices, which would, in turn, affect their sales, he said.
“We are concerned that if prices are not controlled, many parties will be affected, given that many are still facing various issues related to rising prices of goods and cost of living.
“This (reduction in retail egg prices) can help the people to some extent in their daily lives,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday that the new retail prices for Grade A, B and C eggs are 42 sen, 40 sen and 38 sen each respectively with immediate effect.
In Sarawak, Consumers Voice Association president Michael Tiong said the three-sen reduction in egg prices is proof that the government is aware of people’s basic needs and its willingness to ease their burden.
He said it has a positive impact on consumption, which in turn can help stabilise the prices of other basic necessities by putting pressure on traders not to raise prices arbitrarily.
“If traders continue to raise prices, the government must take firm action to ensure that the announced price reduction truly benefits the people,” he told Bernama.
Housewife Zihani Ismawi, 35, who is a frozen curry puff entrepreneur, said that it can help reduce the daily cost of living and increase purchasing power, especially for those who rely on eggs as a protein source.
Baker Winnie Elyse, 49, said the reduction in the prices of eggs, a key ingredient in cake making, provided relief for her, as any increase would have a significant impact on her business’ production costs.
