Singapore: Malaysia has partially lifted the chicken export ban, allowing Singapore poultry importers to resume bringing in live kampong and black chicken from Tuesday (June 14th).
In a letter from the Malaysian Veterinary Department seen by CNA, authorities said the export of live kampong and black chickens would be allowed again following a cabinet decision on June 8.
The letter also said it would allow exports of poultry products such as nuggets and hot dogs to resume. However, there remains a ban on commercial broiler chicken, a large bird that Singapore normally imports from Malaysia for the majority of chicken.
Malaysia banned chicken exports on June 1 to ensure adequate supply in the domestic market.
Singapore imports about 34% of chicken from Malaysia, almost all of which is brought in as live chicken and then slaughtered and chilled locally.
During the days leading up to the ban and after that, chicken demand was high and prices were rising in Singapore. Some chicken stalls are also temporarily closed.
MaChin Chew, secretary of the Singapore Poultry Traders Association and CEO of Hup Heng Poultry Industries, confirmed that his company resumed imports of live kampongs and black chickens on Tuesday.
Poultry will be sold to fresh market sellers, merchants and restaurants starting Wednesday.
Mr. Ma expressed relief in the partial lifting of the export ban, but also expressed concern about the amount available.
Broilers are the main source of income for Hup Heng Poultry Industries, which imported about 100,000 to 120,000 broilers a day. This is compared to the import of about 5,000 to 10,000 black chickens and 30,000 to 40,000 kampong chickens per day.
“The cost of kampong chicken is much higher than regular broiler chicken, so it’s not here or there, so customers don’t want to switch to selling kampong chicken altogether for the time being,” Ma said. I told CNA.
He said the quantity and availability of kampong and black chicken was also limited.
“(A) It would actually cost more if the customer ordered only 20 chickens and delivered them to the stall instead of 100 or 200.”
