Industry players gave assurances of sufficient egg supply before price drop, says Fuziah

PETALING JAYA: The government received assurances from industry players that the supply of eggs in the market was sufficient before announcing the reduction of egg prices by 3sen for Grades A, B and C, says Fuziah Salleh.

The Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister told Malay language daily Sinar Harian that the production of eggs has been stable.

"Before the announcement was made, we met with industry players and receives assurances that there were enough eggs in the country.

"That was their promise to the government," she told Sinar Harian on Tuesday (June 18).

She was responding to Bumiputera Retailers Association president Datuk Dr Ameer Ali Mydin who was reported as saying that the government should increase the supply of subsidised eggs on the market, and not reduce its retail price.

Fuziah also said that Malaysia had achieved 100% self-sufficiency in terms of egg production in the country.

"Some 60% of production involves Grade A, B and C eggs, while the rest involves eggs such as Omega," Sinar Harian reported her as saying.

On Monday (June 17), the retail price of Grade A, B, and C eggs across the country was reduced by 3sen as part of the government’s new subsidy initiative.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the new prices for Grade A, B, and C eggs was set at 42sen, 40sen, and 38sen per egg, respectively.

He noted that the subsidy provision would involve government expenditure of around RM100mil, covering as much as 10sen per egg.