KUALA LUMPUR: Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin) managing director, Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said Malaysia's chicken egg supply conundrum can be resolved if the government lifts ceiling prices on the items.
He said doing so would bring an end to price-tampering by some suppliers, who also use underhanded tactics to work around the authorities' price control mechanism during festive seasons.
He hoped that once chicken egg prices nationwide stabilise, the government will allow market forces to dictate the prices instead of implementing a ceiling price.
He said the government should not worry about the rise in prices as based on calculations, it would only go up between five and seven sen.
He added this would also put a stop to price tampering by suppliers, who have been known to tag on additional charges elsewhere.
"If stocks from local suppliers are sufficient, we will no longer need to import. We are looking for a win-win situation. We hope that there won't be a price control scheme for eggs this Christmas.
"Each time a price control scheme is implemented, an underground economy will emerge. Maybe the government isn't aware of this.
"This means that the item will be even more expensive. For example, if the price of one egg is set at 45 sen, there is no way traders will be able to buy it at the price," he told Berita Harian.
Ameer said only those who are willing to pay extra will be able to receive their stocks from the supplier.
"The invoice may indicate one price, but suppliers will play around with the cost by adding extra charges, which could be transportation charges or even handling fees.
"This isn't right. This still leaves people with a high cost albeit minus the transparency. The government wants transparency so we are suggesting that after Christmas, there should no longer be any price control measures."
Meanwhile, he said chicken eggs imported from India are being sold at 50 sen each, much higher than Grade A eggs despite being even smaller in size than those in Grade C.
At present, local Grade C chicken eggs are retailing at 41 sen each while Grade A eggs are sold at 45 sen each.
Ameer said although the imported eggs are more expensive, they remain in high demand.
"The imported eggs are smaller than those in Grade C and costs more than Grade A ones, but at least we have a steady supply, given that it is the cheapest available source of protein.
"Most cuisines in the country require eggs, hence why there will always be a demand despite the price," he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously announced that the government would be importing between two and 10 million eggs a day to meet domestic demand and to control prices.
He said the import began on Dec 15, with the entry of 100,000 eggs.
Commenting on the imported eggs supply received by Mydin, Ameer said they currently only have enough to sell them via their Subang Jaya outlet.
"We estimate that the batch is enough to last us for two to three days in the Subang Jaya branch.
"We expect to receive more next week and these will be distributed to other Mydin branches nationwide," he said.