KUALA LUMPUR: Prices of grain corn and soybean meals, the two main feed for chickens, have increased by 13% and 11%, respectively, since January.

       The rise in the prices of chicken feed is one of the factors that contributed to the increase in the production cost for chickens, causing the prices of chicken in the country to re-escalate.

       This was among the matters discussed during a special meeting on the issue of the rising production costs for chickens and eggs held between the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) on Friday (April 15).

       The meeting, which was held in a hybrid manner, was attended by MAFI Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, KPDNHEP Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, senior officers and top management of MAFI, KPDNHEP, MEDAC, Finance Ministry, Human Resource Ministry, Agrobank and the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC).

       MAFI said, in a statement Saturday (April 16), that the ministry and KPDNHEP presented three working papers at the meeting relating to the rising cost of chicken production on farms, the increase in corn price and the compliance of maximum price for chicken and eggs.

       It added that MAFI was actively providing subsidy assistance to broiler chicken breeders and layer chicken breeders involving RM528.52mil throughout the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMKM) period.

       It said the initiative was aimed at easing the burden faced by 2,255 breeders nationwide following the increase in costs especially involving chicken feed which makes up 70% of the overall costs apart from logistics, labour, utilities and medicines.

       According to the statement, MAFI will expedite the effort to give existing subsidies to the breeders thus avoiding pressure on the livestock industry and ensuring that the people could buy chickens and eggs at affordable prices.

       “However, the meeting also took note that although breeders have started to enjoy the subsidy, production costs continue to escalate.

       "Additional matters and intervention proposals discussed and identified in this meeting will be brought to the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) meeting which will be chaired by the Prime Minister soon," read the statement. - Bernama