Ling shows trays of eggs in his shop.
SIBU: The demand for eggs in this division has increased by about 20 per cent since the movement control order (MCO) started on March 18.
Chairman of Sibu Livestock Farmers Association Ling Chi Kiong said despite the increased demand, there is no shortage of eggs here.
“Rest assured the supply of eggs is sufficient to meet the domestic demand,” he added.
Ling said about 200,000 eggs per day were consumed here, compared to the daily consumption of about 170,000 eggs before the MCO went into effect.
He said Sibu produced about 700,000 eggs per day, about 60 per cent of is sent to Bintulu, Miri, Mukah, Kapit and other smaller towns in the central region four times a week.
“Due to the MCO, we have to readjust the time for our lorry drivers to send the eggs to these towns, but sometimes, it may take longer to reach our destinations due to several logistical factors like roads blocks and so forth,” he
added.
Ling said eggs shortage never cropped up during this MCO period.
“In fact, we are getting surplus eggs now compared to pre-MCO period.”
He attributed the increased demand to eggs being an essential item and also due to its cheap price.
“Moreover, eggs are also easy to handle and taken compared to other food items like chicken and fish, the demand of which has reportedly dropped during the MCO period.”
Eggs are sold at a price regulated by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairsn, and are sold about RM10 per tray, depending on the grades.