CHICKEN prices at wholesale markets in the Klang Valley have soared to as high as RM13/kg, as of this morning, as supplies dwindle.

Checks by the Malaysian Insight at Klang wet market, Shah Alam wet market in Section 6 and Pasar Chow Kit revealed that stocks were running low.

The shortage comes in the face of reports yesterday that poultry processing factories may stop output today over a delay in subsidies from the government.

A trader at Klang wet market, who declined to be named, said he set his price for chicken at RM13/kg due to consumer demand.

He said he set this price because supplies were running low.

“There is not enough chicken. I cannot get enough supplies. To sell it at RM8.90/kg with such limited stock is just not worth it.”

“If we have enough supplies, we have no problem selling it at RM8.90. The government must address this issue, find a way to solve the matter and must not blame us.

“We are just trying to make a living,” he said.

The man in his 40s was one of just two chicken traders open at the wet market today with others closed due to lack of stock

Yesterday, Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia president Tan Chee Hee said the government is aware of problem.

Tan denied that there would be a boycott over the weekend but did not explain why there was a shortage.

Over the past few days, news reports revealed plans by a chicken processing plant in Jasin, Malacca, to close for two days over the weekend.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the factory told him its chickens had not reached the desired weight of 1.8kg.

Disease has also been identified as another reason for the chicken shortage, according to Sinar Harian, which quoted chairman of the Selangor Poultry Breeders Association Zainal Abidin saying this had been reported by association members.

Chicken supplies and prices have been affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, which has disrupted exports of corn, wheat and other imports used as chicken feed.

In February, the government fixed the ceiling price for standard chicken at RM8.90/kg until June 5.

Meanwhile, at Shah Alam wet market, fresh chickens were still sold at RM8.90 but supply quickly ran out.

However, supplies of ayam kampung were still available at RM18.90/kg.

A trader who identified himself as Din, said chicken supplies have been low since the Hari Raya.

“We heard that farms were not selling their chickens because they were not heavy enough.

“Then we heard that the chickens were hit by disease and a few days ago we heard the subsidy problem was the reason for low supplies.”

“We are not sure which is which, but supplies have been very limited,” said Din.

Chickens generally come to market when they reach 1.8kg.

A trader in Chow Kit said chicken prices could reach RM13/kg.

“Smaller chickens are still sold at RM8.90/kg but larger birds are going for RM13/kg.”

“This has been ongoing since Hari Raya. We heard so many excuses, but nothing has been done by the government to fix the issue,” the trader said, adding that she did not know if it was due to factories stopping output.

“There have been many excuses and talk by many quarters. I am not sure if this was due to the boycott,” she said.

Consumers left with no choice

Prices at grocery stores have also increased. Shops in Setia Alam and in Meru were showing chicken prices of RM10/kg, RM1.10 higher than the government price ceiling.

An Acehnese trader in Setia Alam said the RM10 rate will stay until the situation is back to normal.

While in Meru, a rural town next to Setia Alam, most of the grocery stores had run out of chicken 48 hours ago.

Customers also complained about soaring prices.

Mustapa Omar, 48, said while the price is expensive, he had no choice but to pay because he was hosting a Hari Raya open house.

“An open house is not complete if there is no chicken rendang. Even though I am a bit upset with the price, I still have to pay.”

“At first I went to the grocery store near my home, but they had run out, so I had to come to Klang wet market, which is quite a distance, and pay more.

“I hope they solve this problem as soon as possible,” Mustapa said.

Klang born Fauzi Rizal said that many customers were left with no choice.

“The demand is high because of Hari Raya, for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Usually, we pay RM8.90/kg but now it is RM13/kg, which is very expensive.” – May 22, 2022.