Malaysia has partially lifted a prohibition on chicken exports, enabling Singaporean poultry importers to begin importing live kampung and black birds on Tuesday (Jun 14).
In a letter from the Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia acquired by CNA, the authorities stated that live kampung and black chicken exports will be permitted again, per a June 8 Cabinet decision.
In addition, the letter stated that exports of chicken items such as nuggets and hotdogs will be permitted to resume. However, the restriction on commercial broiler chicken - the bigger birds that account for the vast majority of hens Singapore typically imports from Malaysia - remains in place.
The letter did not indicate the number of available live kampung and black chickens for export.
Approximately 34% of Singapore's chicken supply is imported from Malaysia, nearly entirely as live birds that are butchered and chilled locally.
In the days preceding and following the ban, chickens were in great demand in Singapore, causing prices to rise. Additionally, some chicken rice stands have temporarily closed.
Mr. Ma Chin Chew, secretary of Singapore's Poultry Merchants' Association and chief executive officer of Hup Heng Poultry Industries, verified on Tuesday that his company began importing live kampung and black chicks.
On Wednesday, the poultry would be sold to wet market vendors, street vendors, and restaurants.
Mr. Ma was relieved by the partial removal of the export prohibition, but he was concerned about the available amount.
Hup Heng Poultry Industries, which formerly imported between 100,000 and 120,000 broiler chicks each day, derives the majority of its revenue from broiler chicken. This is in comparison to daily imports of around 5,000 to 10,000 black chickens and 30,000 to 40,000 kampung chickens.
Mr. Ma told CNA, "It's neither here nor there because the price of kampung chicken is significantly more than that of regular broiler chicken, so I don't think customers will want to completely transition to selling kampung chicken at this time."
He also stated that the quantity and availability of kampung and black chickens are restricted.
"If a customer purchases 20 chickens instead of 100 or 200, it really costs me more to bring them to the booths."
Source: CNA
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