JASIN: Prices of chicken and eggs are expected to increase after the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Scheme ends on Feb 4, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said.
He said the move had to be taken to ensure a "win-win" situation between consumer groups and farmers in the country.
Nanta said the price increase was decided through an engagement session between his ministry, the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry and Finance Ministry in Putrajaya, yesterday.
"In yesterday's discussion, some farmers' associations complained about livestock prices and operating costs which were said to have increased including the cost of importing chicken feed.
"Currently, the maximum retail price of a whole chicken is RM9.10 per kg and it is said to be low, therefore they are still considering the decision to increase the price of chicken to protect the consumers and traders," he said after presenting donations to flood victims at the temporary evacuation centre at SMK Sungai Rambai, here today.
Also present were Sungai Rambai assemblyman Siti Faizah Abd Azis, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam and its state director Norena Jaafar.
Following the possibility of the price hike, Nanta called on the public to be prepared for such eventuality while assuring that his ministry would continue to find the best mechanism to protect the interests of consumers, traders and breeders.
"I hope consumers would understand the complexity of this problem. It is not as easy as we think because if farmers could not afford to produce (more chicken), in the end, it is us who will be affected when there is no supply.
"However, the decision on the price increase reached during the engagement session will depend on the implementation of several other strategies, including importing chicken from abroad which we believe could stabilise the chicken prices."