‘Chicken prices remain steady’

KUCHING: Chicken prices have not shot up in the first two days following the removal of subsidies, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic). He also said there was no shortage based on his observations so far.

“When we started floating chicken prices on Nov 1, there was no sudden increase in the price. There was also no problem with the supply. The situation is normal,” he told reporters when visiting a fruit market in Bintulu yesterday.

Mohamad called on chicken traders and farmers not to take advantage of the situation but to sell poultry at the market price.

He said there had been no complaints about the floating of the price in the last two days, but the ministry would continue to monitor the situation.

He also said he took the opportunity to check the price of rice at several outlets during his visit to Bintulu. He was satisfied that the price of imported white rice remained affordable after the government announced a subsidy for the staple in Sabah and Sarawak starting Oct 5.

“This will enable the B40 group in particular to benefit from lower prices for rice,” he said.