THE Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living in Terengganu has admitted that the supply of eggs has fallen 33% during Ramadan due to a shortage from out-of-state suppliers.

Director Saharuddin Mohd Kia said it is estimated that people in Terengganu consume 1 million eggs a day but the state receives around 600,000 eggs.

However, during Ramadan this figure has plummeted to only around 400,000 eggs, he said.

“There are no egg farms in Terengganu, which gets its supply from farms in Malacca, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor, and Perak.

“Egg wholesalers say the main factor behind this sudden drop is a lack of eggs received from farms, which due to the increasing demand for eggs during Ramadan and the farms prioritise their own local market first,” he said in a statement today.

Saharuddin said increased demand in Terengganu also caused certain outlets to run out of eggs more quickly, before the next shipment arrives as scheduled.

Despite this, he said, inspectors claimed that only one out of 13 egg wholesalers as well as one out of 39 selected retailers was out of stock.

“In fact, the outlets have already made bookings and farmers and wholesalers will carry out distribution soon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saharuddin advised consumers to purchase eggs prudently and reminded traders not to raise prices or risk prosecution for profiteering. – Bernama, March 26, 2023.