GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will prevent any price surge for chicken eggs following the proposal to remove subsidies for producers, said State Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol.
He said that there will be sufficient supply of eggs and that authorities, including the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), will monitor pricing to ensure no exploitation.
"I am sure that the relevant authorities, like the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), will monitor market pricing from time to time to ensure that no one will take advantage to cause a price surge for chicken eggs," he told the New Straits Times.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu recently announced that the government is considering removing subsidies for egg producers, redirecting savings to other critical agro-food areas.
Penang, home to 40 egg producers and 1.67 million chickens, produced 288 million eggs last year, valued at RM129.74 million. However, production still falls short of Penang's demand.
Fahmi added that restructuring subsidies is essential, moving from blanket to targeted subsidies that benefit those in need. The savings can be invested in agrotechnology and infrastructure to boost productivity.
"Removing subsidies allows the market to dictate prices, leading to higher production and potentially lower prices," Fahmi said.