Singapore is tense because Malaysia stops exporting chicken

Malaysia will stop exporting chicken from June 1 to ensure domestic supply. The decision caused tension in neighboring Singapore, where chicken rice is considered a national dish.

Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the country would stop exporting 3.6 million chickens a month until domestic production and prices stabilize. This decision will have a strong impact on Singapore, which imports a third of its chickens from Malaysia.

Singapore imports raw chicken, then slaughters it and keeps it cool. Before the ban took effect, Singaporeans flocked to supermarkets to buy chicken stock. Local media reported that some supermarkets and markets selling fresh produce had run out of chickens.

According to the newspaper Straits TimesChicken traders predict that the price of chicken may increase by 30%, causing the price of chicken dishes to increase sharply. The Singapore government urged consumers to switch to frozen chicken and other meats, and said it was looking for new markets to import fresh chicken.

However, many people are concerned about the risk of a shortage of chicken rice – a dish sold everywhere, from small street stalls to luxury hotels. Hainan Tian Tian Chicken Rice Restaurant, which imports chicken entirely from Malaysia, said it would include pork and seafood dishes on the menu, instead of frozen chicken, if a new source cannot be found.

Malaysia’s decision comes after many countries around the world are facing sharp increases in food prices, partly because of the conflict in Ukraine. Ukraine is a major exporter of corn and grain in the world, partly for poultry feed. India also restricted exports of sugar and flour, and Indonesia temporarily halted exports of palm oil, but removed it.

In addition to the export ban, Malaysia also removed import quotas for chicken and other foods to increase supply and lower prices. The Malaysian government previously controlled chicken prices and subsidized farmers when feed prices rose sharply, partly due to the depreciation of the Malaysian currency.

The Malaysian government is investigating reports that corporations are manipulating chicken prices and supply.

The Malaysian government did not say how long the ban would last, but officials expect supply and prices to stabilize in about a month.

According to AP