PETALING JAYA: The shortage of halal turkeys is once again ruffling feathers as hoteliers and restaurateurs try to get the roast fowl on their menus for the year-end festive season.
Due to the lack of local supply, eateries must import the birds. But stringent halal checks mean that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) only recognises 49 foreign halal certification bodies.
“Only these bodies and authorities of halal certification are recognised by the secretariat,” Jakim said.
The top four sources for Malaysia last year – Brazil, China, Germany and the United States – are among those with the 49 certificates.
Imported food in Malaysia, although halal in their source country, cannot carry the halal stamp unless certified as halal by the foreign halal certification bodies recognised by Jakim.
“All meat and meat-based products (including poultry) intended to be imported into Malaysia must be halal-certified by the recognised foreign halal certification bodies.
“The plants must be inspected and approved by Jakim and the Veterinary Services Department in compliance with the Malaysian Protocol for Halal Meat and Poultry Productions and MS 1500:2009,” the department said.
A foreign halal certificate is valid for two years, after which Jakim “shall carry out a review audit”.
Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdullah, who founded the world’s biggest halal trade exhibition, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), said Jakim’s role is merely to produce the halal certificates, which they issue after stringent checks.
“Imported meat goes through the port authorities, Customs Department and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis). These three are the main channels that the meat has to pass through before it reaches the AP holders,” said Shukri.
Organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, Mihas is the largest halal trade event of its kind in the world with a turnover of RM1bil.
Shukri also said that Allana, a Mumbai-based Indian meat supplier, is currently the world’s largest halal meat exporter and that some approved permit (AP) holders in Malaysia also purchase halal meat from them.
“The halal meat import permit for livestock is issued by the Veterinary Services Department.
“The import of halal meat enters Malaysia through Customs and Maqis,” he said.
“The company and business licences of companies handling imported halal meat are issued by the local councils and the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
“The forging and abuse of halal logos come under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry,” Shukri added.
Meanwhile, the Veterinary Services Department said there are import restrictions for turkeys from the United States.
In a statement to The Star, the veterinary department said the restrictions have been in place since July 2022 in response to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak affecting commercial poultry in the United States.
“These measures remain in place due to the ongoing situation, as reported by the World Organisation for Animal Health through the World Animal Health Information System platform,” the department said.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh said turkey dishes might be limited this year, owing to the shortage.
“However, hotels will adapt by offering roast chicken.
“Alternatively there are various dishes that hotels can serve during the season, like chicken or beef meatloaf,” she said.
Toh proposed that the authorities further develop the local turkey breeding market.
Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) said many customers have turned to alternatives like chicken for the festive season due to difficulty in securing turkey meat.
When asked if the strengthening ringgit can impact the prices of imported turkey, MRA said this was possible only if import restrictions were lifted.
“However, even with a stronger currency, prices are expected to rise due to the high demand, which outpaces limited supplies,” it said.
Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association vice-president Jeremy Lim said any shortages were usually identified by the middle of October.
“It is still relatively early to know,” he said.
Data from the Malaysia External Trade Statistics portal showed that the value of turkey imports dropped from RM6.4mil in 2021 to only RM244,386 in 2023.
This is despite the number of countries exporting the meat to Malaysia increasing from three in 2021 (Hong Kong, the United States and Canada) to four in 2023 (Brazil, US, China and Germany).
The imports include fresh, chilled and frozen whole turkeys, cuts and offal.
