PUTRAJAYA is maintaining the ceiling prices for chicken and chicken eggs until June 30, Alexander Nanta Linggi said.

In a statement, the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister said the ceiling prices were set on February 5 and were due to end on Sunday.

Currently, the prices for chicken and eggs in the peninsula are: standard whole chicken (RM8.90 per kg), super whole chicken (RM9.90 per kg), grade A eggs (43 sen each), grade B eggs (41 sen each) and grade C eggs (39 sen each).

However, the prices vary in Langkawi, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, according to zones and districts.

Nanta said the Finance Ministry is working on measures to help the low-income group when the ceiling prices are no longer in effect after the end of the month.

Consumers have been dogged by a shortage of chicken, which has led to some traders selling above the ceiling price in certain places in the country.

In a move to overcome the shortage, the government has ordered a stop to the export of 3.6 million chickens until poultry prices and production are stable.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this short-term measure is aimed at tackling the problem of rising chicken prices.

The government has also scrapped the approved permits for chickens so that importers can provide more stock.

“The government understands that there are cartels controlling chicken prices and production,” Ismail said in a statement last week. – June 2, 2022.