April 17, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: The price of fresh chicken in the Klang Valley has increased about six times, within this month alone, traders claimed.
Poultry sellers claimed that cumulatively, there was a total of RM1.50 increase for the price of chicken per kilogramme at wet markets.
The standard price for chicken per kilogramme is now between RM8 and RM9 at wet markets and farmer's markets in the Klang Valley.
Poultry seller Noordilla Aida Othman said there were at least two occasions when the prices went down, but they lasted only a day.
She is now selling chicken at RM8.80 per kilogramme at the Selayang wet market.
"On April 1, the price per kilogramme for standard chicken was RM7. The price increased even before the fasting month.
"The highest price was at RM8.40 per kilogramme for the standard chicken.
"Customers are always aware of the changes. They now buy less compared to the week before Ramadan. Normally people purchase around three to four whole chickens when the price was around RM6 per kilogramme for the standard chicken," she told the New Straits Times.
Noordilla who is in the family business selling poultry and meat, said in previous years, the price of poultry had also increased during the month of Ramadan but not as much as this year.
"This year, we have yet to see the price at RM6 per kilogramme," she said, adding her supplier had informed that the prices had gone up from the farm due to the demands to welcome Ramadan.
Apart from poultry, she said cow lung (paru daging) is now sold at RM16 per kilogramme, compared to RM7 last month.
"Although I do have my regular customers, the price hike would hurt both traders and customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I even asked the officer from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) who did their inspection rounds here about the price surge, but I was told it was normal.
"I noticed the price increase happened even before the fasting month and it is usually controlled a week before Hari Raya."
She hoped KPDNHEP would consider implementing price control even before the holidays.
Another poultry trader Hadi Ahmad at the Selayang wet market said any more increase in prices would result in customers cutting down purchases.
"Currently, I am selling at RM8.30 per kilogramme and just this week we saw the price increase twice.
"The profit margin I am seeing now is at 50 to 60 sen per kilogramme. If you want to find out why the price has increased, you better go and ask the farms (suppliers)," he told the New Straits Times.
Hadi also noticed that customers were reluctant to buy whole chickens this week, when the price a week before Ramadan was at RM7.80 per kilogramme.
"When the fasting month started, the price increased to 60 sen per kilogramme. Just today, it increased again at another 30 sen, as informed by my supplier.
"We cannot let the price go higher than usual because other people need to make a living as well, by selling food (with chicken).
"Compared to last year, the highest standard chicken was sold at RM7.50 per kilogramme during festive seasons. The price hike now is very unusual," he said.
Muslim Tairan who sells ayam kampung (free-range chicken) and old chicken at Pasar Tani Taman Melawati said business was slower than usual due to the price increase.
"I have been in the business for 20 years, and this is the worst that I have seen (for the business). I was told by the supplier from Kampung Baru that the farms had increased the prices."
He said the price for old chicken had gone up from RM7 to RM9.50 per kilogramme, while ayam kampung had increased from RM12 to RM15.50 per kilogramme.
"I decided to stock up fewer than usual, because I am afraid the demand will be less this week," he said.
Mohammad Haizat Mior Muzamin, a poultry seller at Pasar Tani Taman Melawati said since the price increase, customers bought in much fewer quantities.
"If we are not regulated under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), I believe prices would be higher. This is the highest price increase I have seen compared to previous years and it is only the first week of the fasting month.
"Despite the regular price increase, we continue to buy chickens as there is still demand from regular customers, but walk-in buyers now purchase less.
"I expect the price will go down a week after Hari Raya celebrations," he said.
Poultry seller Ashraf Abdul Ghafar said if prices continued to go up, he would only make a profit of 50 sen per kilogramme in order to keep the price low for customers.
"Last night I was informed by my supplier from Puchong that the price increase today is at 30 sen for a kilogramme. Is the ministry monitoring this?
"Both traders and customers will suffer if the price continues to rise. People are aware of the price increase, but they have no choice especially if they need it for their businesses and can't afford to increase the prices of their food."
Checks by the New Straits Times at both the Selayang wet market and Pasar Tani Taman Melawati saw only a few people buying fresh chicken, while several others left after inquiring about the price.
Kamariah Zainal said she had no choice but to continue buying from the wet market because the quality is better.
"I have been buying here for the last 20 years. When the price goes up, I buy less. I notice the supermarkets nearby sell it a lot cheaper at around RM7 per kilogramme but I am not sure if the quality is as good," she said.
Restaurant owner Manju Balan Naidu, 45, said the increase in price had also affected her restaurant.
"Since we have to display the menu, we must continue to offer the food at the published price. I hope the government can take swift action to manage this," she said.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/683103/price-chicken-klang-valley-has-gone-6-times-april