THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has decided to maintain the ceiling prices for chicken and eggs until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 

Its minister Salahuddin Ayub said the supply of chicken and eggs was sufficient and sold according to the ceiling price set throughout the month of Ramadan. 

He said KPDN would be monitoring price increases. 

“The government does not plan to raise the ceiling price. The KPDN and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have also held discussions, and so far, we have guaranteed sufficient supply (chicken and eggs) and they are sold at the ceiling price that has been set,” he said today. 

Salahuddin added that industry players had given their assurance and expressed their willingness to ensure a surplus production of chicken and eggs during Ramadan due to heightened demand. 

“I was told that the supply (eggs and chicken) will be increased during Ramadan and Aidilftiri; I have also met the industry players and they have given the assurance and are ready for surplus production, hence that is the assurance given to KPDN,” he said. 

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Mohamad Sabu recently said the current ceiling retail price for standard chicken was RM9.40 per kg, while the retail ceiling price for Grade A eggs was 45 sen per egg, Grade B (43 sen) and Grade C (41 sen) in the peninsula, while in Langkawi, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, the maximum price for both items varied by zone and district. 

He was also quoted as saying that the price of chicken and eggs was expected to be floated after June to ensure any shortages could be overcome. – Bernama, April 1, 2023.