PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today admitted that the price of essential goods has increased but said it was not caused by traders.

He attributed the price increase to costs accumulated at various levels of the supply chain before goods reached the traders.

“It is true that daily essentials are more expensive now. Traders and wholesalers are not responsible for this price increase. I see it as resulting from the supply chain.

“Take chicken as an example. Breeders, factories and wholesalers all have their own costs. The price is already high by the time the goods reach the traders,” he told reporters in Putrajaya.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries needs to co-operate with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to resolve this issue.

“At the same time, we need to seriously look into the issue regarding the involvement of middlemen,” he added.

Ismail said the government would import frozen chicken to keep prices low, adding that imports are expected to be available in the local market by next week at the latest.

“The increase in chicken price to RM9.80/kg is unusual, although prices have exceeded RM10/kg previously. Chicken prices normally range between RM7 and RM8/kg,” he said. – Bernama, December 1, 2021.