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KUALA LUMPUR – Singaporeans are advised to diversify their food consumption and avoid hoarding while importers are told to bring in more frozen poultry from non-Malaysian sources.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said importers should bring in more chilled chicken from alternative sources, increase import of frozen chicken from existing non-Malaysia suppliers, or draw from their stocks of poultry.
“While there may be temporary disruptions to the supply of chilled chicken, frozen chicken options remain available to mitigate the shortfall.
“We strongly encourage consumers to play their part by being open to switching choices within and across food groups – such as consuming frozen chicken instead of chilled – as well as other sources of meat products.
“We also advise consumers to buy only what they need,” it said in a statement last night.
According to SFA, some 34% of its chicken imports last year were from Malaysia and almost all were imported as live chickens, which were slaughtered and chilled in Singapore.
This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday announced a ban on poultry export June 1 onwards as Malaysia grapples with supply shortage, rising livestock feed and insufficient agriculture subsidies.
He said the ban on export, which involves approximately 3.6 million birds monthly, will be in place until the situation in the country stabilises.
He also warned against any activities of hiding poultry supplies or involvement in any elements of sabotage as their business licences would be revoked with immediate effect.
Malaysians have been faced with poultry shortage amid rising prices of essential goods and the possibility of the removal of fuel subsidies. – The Vibes, May 24, 2022