New Straits Times - 28 September 2006

SUBANG JAYA: From today, the retail price of dressed chicken has gone up by 35 sen following greater demand during the early period of Ramadan.

Standard chicken (with shank, head, liver and gizzard) now costs RM5.40 while super chicken (without shank, head, liver and gizzard), RM6.05.

Federation of Livestock Farmer’s Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) executive consultant Dr Abd Rahman Md Saleh expects the demand to slow down from the 20th day of Ramadan and then pick up again as Muslims prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

"Public perception that farmers are responsible for pushing up prices is unfounded.

"We continue to produce the average number of chickens, that is around 8.8 million per week. But higher consumer demand will raise the price," he said at a Press conference yesterday.

However, he said, the prices were still below the ceiling rates.

Abd Rahman denied that festivities were the determinant factor for the increase in price.

"For instance, during Ramadan in 2003 and 2004, the price of chicken dropped," he said.

As a result of the present supply and demand situation, the ex-farm price of chicken was raised from RM3.20 to RM3.50 per kg, said FLFAM Broiler Unit chairman Yap Kim Hwah.

"The production cost, as estimated by the Department of Veterinary Services, is currently between RM3.20 and RM3.40 per kg."

However, farmers have got only an average of RM2.89 per kg for their produce during the first nine months of this year, Yap added.

"They have been suffering losses from the beginning of the year as supply has been in excess of demand during the period."