THE country’s egg shortage was not yet critical, the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia said.

Its president, Hong Chee Meng, said the situation was different in each state. 

“If farmers lowered production due to cost-cutting measures, then that state would face a shortage,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said subsidies for eggs would be maintained amid unstable supply, with deputy minister Chan Foong Hin confirming that price controls would remain.

“The cost of producing eggs is still high,” Chan said. “If the price is floated, each egg would cost at least 10 sen more, which is RM3 more for one tray of (30) eggs.”

Hong said there were pros and cons to the government’s move.

“The good thing is that people can buy eggs at stable prices, but on the downside, egg farmers may not turn profits,” he said.

“I hope the government can look into countermeasures. The most important thing is to prevent a shortage, because eggs are essential food.”

Klang Coast Provision and Supply Goods Retailers Association chairman Tan Teck Hock said many merchants stocked up when they heard the egg supply was unstable, which led to a shortage.

“Now there are fewer merchants stocking up, so eggs are still available, but the overall supply is still insufficient because in some remote areas, people have to wait up to a week for delivery if eggs are sold out, causing temporary shortages.”

Tan said he was worried about insufficient supply for festive seasons, with Deepavali next week and Chinese New Year in a few months.

He said farmers and traders would lose profits if egg prices were not floated soon.

“For a tray of 30 eggs, the grocer’s profit is only 30 sen.

“Eggs are fragile. If one breaks, 40 sen is wasted and farmers and traders face more losses,” Tan said. – November 7, 2023.