Chicken will cost 20 sen more per kg from today

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KUCHING: Consumers will have to pay 20 sen more for every kilogramme of standard and live chicken purchased effective today.Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Livestock Breeders’ Association chairman Lee Jin Chiaw said the retail price for standard chicken would be increased from RM7.50 to RM7.70 per kg while live chicken will now be RM5.80 per kg.

Before the 20 sen hike, live chicken was sold at RM5.60 per kg.

Speaking to See Hua Daily News yesterday, he said the 20 sen increase was due to the recent price hike of chicken feed.

He said the price of chicken feed had been on the rise over the last couple of months.

According to Lee, the chicken feed price was reviewed on New Year’s Day, with each tonne costing RM20 more.

He said the review of chicken feed prices took place about six times between January and September last year.

He added that the total price hike was approximately RM130 within nine months, resulting in a selling price of RM1,800 per tonne.

Following this, the association called for a meeting last week and committee members unanimously consented to review the prices of standard and live chicken, he said.

“Even after the increase of 20 sen, the prices of standard and live chicken still fall within the ceiling set by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, Sarawak, which is RM8 per kg,” he said.

Lee, however, said that the price hike of chicken feed should not  cause much inconvenience to livestock breeders here as far as supply was concerned.

He said the association would collaborate closely with the ministry to ensure sufficient supply of standard and live chicken, particularly in view of the coming festive season.

Asked whether prices of standard and live chicken would be reviewed again before the Lunar New Year, he said consumers should not worry about this.

“These prices (RM7.70 and RM5.80) will stay as they are come the Lunar New Year,” he said, however he did not reveal whether another price hike was likely after the festive celebration.

The Lunar New Year falls on Feb 14.