No truth to sabotage claims, says farmers’ association chief

The egg shortage is a global phenomenon and unlikely to be resolved soon, say livestock farmers.

They also scoffed at sabotage claims on social media that there was a shortage before the recently-concluded 15th General Election, and eggs were now flooding the market.

Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) president Tan Chee Hee said the sabotage claim is not logical as eggs are perishable items that cannot be hoarded.

“Generally, the whole world has an egg shortage and Malaysia is no exception.

“Farmers are working very hard to produce more but we have been badly affected by poor demand during the pandemic (lockdowns), then a sudden surge of demand after the economy reopened, followed by an increase in raw material prices, and disease challenges,” said Tan.

“Currently we are facing a shortage of layer chicks (or chicken reared to lay eggs).

“This is one of the main causes,” he explained.

“The other cause is the controlled price (of Grade A, B and C eggs) that is not encouraging farmers to produce more as the subsidies are not sufficient for them to cover their costs.

“It is a very tight margin for big farms to produce at these prices despite a recent 10sen subsidy by the government,” he added.

Since July 1, the government has fixed the ceiling price for Grade A chicken eggs at 45sen each, 43sen for Grade B and 41sen for Grade C.

“We don’t think there’s sabotage by producers. Eggs are highly perishable items.

“Layer farms do not have large storage areas to keep eggs for more than two or three days.

“We are not like other industrial producers who can keep their stocks for longer periods to wait for better timing to sell at a better pricing,” said Tan.

He also said there is no clear shortage at present, but it is more of shortages in certain areas with a sudden surge in demand due to weddings or in areas facing logistic and delivery issues.

He said the authorities should understand that farmers cannot rectify the low production situation immediately, due to the cycle of egg production.

He urged the government to increase the subsidies during the control price period or let the market dictate prices.

“We also hope that the authorities would facilitate soft loans to farmers immediately to ease the cashflow problem that FLFAM members have been dealing with,” said Tan.

The association’s deputy president Lee Yoon Yeau said egg production has also been affected by lower quality feedstock, which influences chicken growth, as well as the weather which is not conducive for egg-laying.

“Wehavetoset purchase limits among customers, but not for hawkers.” datuk Lim Choon se

Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said egg suppliers can only meet 20% of his supermarket chain’s demand.

“Except for the Mydin hypermarket chain, we have checked on the ground at various supermarkets. At 10am (yesterday), there were empty shelves everywhere,” he said.

Supermarket chain NSK Group is also facing problems, with its group senior adviser Datuk Lim Choon Se saying suppliers can only meet 40% of his supermarkets’ demand.

He added that the shortage must be resolved as soon as possible as the demand for eggs would be huge one week before Chinese New Year.

“It will be bigger before and during Ramadhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, in March and April respectively.

“We have to set purchase limits among customers, but not for hawkers,” said Lim.