As Malaysia export ban looms, Singaporeans list chicken rice as ‘rare’ items on Carousell

As Malaysia halts chicken export, a plate of chicken rice has been listed as a ‘rare’ item for sale by users on an ecommerce site. — AFP

A number of Singaporeans have responded to the upcoming Malaysian chicken export ban by listing chicken products as highly-priced “rare” or “limited edition” items on an ecommerce platform.

However the listings appear to be tongue-in-cheek attempts at trolling or finding humour from the upcoming export ban, which is set to begin on June 1.

ALSO READ: Chicken exports halted from June 1 to check supply, price issues

A check on Carousell Singapore showed a listing for a takeaway box of Hainanese roasted chicken rice from a hawker centre going for S$2,000 (RM6,390). The seller said “get this before chicken rice becomes history”.

The Straits Times had earlier reported that the famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice outlet in the city-state may stop selling chicken dishes if it can no longer get supplies of fresh chicken.

Another seller listed a “rare limited chicken cutlet” for S$3,000 (RM9,586), claiming that it was priced as such due to rising demand and low supply.

The seller added: “Last chance to taste chicken before it becomes extinct for generations to come.”

ALSO READ: At least 72 victims in phishing scam on Carousell since Jan, losing over S$109,000

A ‘rare’ chicken burger from McDonalds has also been listed by a seller claiming that it is one of the few McChickens “left in Singapore that are actually made from chicken”, and who urged people to “get it for S$1,000 (RM3,195)”.

There is also a seller who has listed an item called “last chicken rice in Singapore” for a relatively modest price of S$40 (RM127).

Uncooked chicken has also been listed on the site by a seller offering chicken breast for S$90 (RM287) with the description “I have about 1.2kg left” and a promise to deliver.

On May 23, the Malaysian government announced that it would halt the export of 3.6 million chickens per month from June 1, as a measure to address domestic supply shortage issues.

The Singapore Food Agency said it will minimise the impact of the export ban by increasing imports of chilled chicken from alternative sources as well as increasing imports of frozen chicken from other existing suppliers.

It also advised consumers to consider switching to other sources of meat products.