KUALA TERENGGANU: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will increase the production of lower-priced special grade chicken eggs following the government's decision to end egg subsidies on Aug 1, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said this would provide the public with more affordable eggs while helping to stabilise prices.
"We also aim to increase the supply of cheaper special eggs like those sold during Ramadan (in March) recently, priced at RM5 per tray.
"We're not sure what the price will be but we are confident it will not spike uncontrollably," he said after attending the Terengganu Pakatan Harapan Aidilfitri open house here on Sunday (May 4).
On April 30, the ministry announced that subsidies for eggs would be removed and said that several intervention measures would be implemented jointly with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to minimise the impact on the people's cost of living.
Mohamad also said in addition to special grade eggs, the public could obtain competitively priced eggs through nationwide initiatives such as Jualan Agro Madani and Jualan Rahmah.
He also said the decision to end both egg subsidies and price controls – as well as the reduction in subsidy rate from RM0.10 to RM0.05 per egg effective May 1 – was made through stakeholder engagement.
"The decision was made via consultation. We negotiated first with egg producers and industry players. We also implemented the removal gradually, not abruptly. Hence, I believe egg prices will not surge," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad also encouraged the cultivation of local young coconuts, especially aromatic varieties like pandan coconuts, in response to rising demand from China.
"This presents an opportunity in Terengganu for example, with its vast land.
"China has a population of over 1.4 billion, with more than 800 million with spending power... this is a real economic opportunity," he said.
On April 19, Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the opening of the fresh coconut market to China under the Phytosanitary Requirements Protocol marks a strengthening of biosecurity measures and the establishment of a more systematic traceability element in quality young coconut production.
He said Malaysia would export young coconuts primarily for fresh beverage consumption, with priority given to aromatic varieties such as pandan coconuts which are known for their unique fragrance and a brix sweetness level of around 6.7. – Bernama
