Malaysia’s chicken and egg supply is forecast to be stable for Ramadan, with government monitoring smuggling and supporting local farmers
KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of chicken and eggs in the local market is expected to be sufficient and problem-free, especially ahead of Ramadan next month.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said this forecast is based on ministry data showing the current status of both commodities is quite stable.
“However, sometimes there are several factors like smuggling that risk affecting market supply, which is why we want all involved parties and related ministries to control this (smuggling) so it does not happen,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
He added that regarding the import of chicken supply, the ministry will also always ensure it is balanced with local production.
Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question from Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) on plans to ensure stable chicken supply while reducing imports to protect the income of small and medium-scale breeders.
Answering another supplementary question on helping small breeders facing pressure from chicken feed costs, Mohamad said MARDI and the Agriculture Department have developed alternative raw materials.
These include using palm kernel cake, Black Soldier Fly larvae and local grain corn as animal feed.
He said so far, 15 companies are involved in the local grain corn planting initiative, with the government providing initial support in finance and logistics.
Responding to an original question on strategies to help small breeders transition to closed-house systems, Mohamad said the transformation considers the breeders’ readiness in infrastructure and logistics.
“As of December 2025, 19 financings for the livestock subsector were approved with a value of RM62.7 million, but no subsidies are provided for the transformation to closed-house systems,” he said.
