Raise ban on chicken exports to Singapore before it is past too far, Malaysian breeders inform government

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s poultry business players have urged the government to lift the chicken export ban , or they are going to lose out on the Singapore market.

They also stressed that supply in the household market has already stabilised.

Federation associated with Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) advisor Jeffry Ng said they are within talks with the authorities about ending the particular export ban, which took effect through Jun 1 .

He said lots of farmers are chasing after the association as they have ongoing agreements with Singapore customers, whom they have grown a relationship with for many years.

“We should continue to provide the service. That is a market that we had for a long period, ” he told CNA.

“Some of the farms are solely catering to the export market and not the local marketplace. If they cannot export, then their functions will have to change, ” he added.

The export ban of up to 3 or more. 6 million hens a month was released following supply plus pricing issues in Malaysia, with some chicken traders selling whole chickens above the price ceiling to pay their costs.

Rising manufacturing costs, disease and weather conditions had been among the factors impacting the operations associated with chicken farms.

In response to the export ban, Singapore, which imported about one-third of its chicken supply from Malaysia, announced that it will buy chickens from Philippines.

The Singapore Food Company (SFA) said on Jun 30 that will Indonesia had been added as being a new source to get chicken imports , joining a list of greater than 20 countries certified to export hens to Singapore.

Johor Poultry Breeders Association secretary Lau Ka Leng informed CNA that maqui berry farmers are worried about shedding their Singaporean clients if the export prohibit is not lifted on time.

“Most of the chickens exported to Singapore are usually from farms within Johor, ” he said.

He said while breeders can cope with the problem now, there is a get worried that they will not be permitted into the Singapore marketplace once the Indonesian exports start.

“Once you lose an industry, it won’t be easy to get it back again, ” he said, adding that there are about 700 chicken farms in the state.