Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Harga Ayam RM8.00 Sekilo Patut?

Farmers' group: Chicken prices fair despite hike

PETALING JAYA: Current prices charged by chicken sellers are still reasonable despite having soared to RM8 per kilo in some places, said the Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM).

Its broiler unit chairman Kwei Yew Tong said in a statement that while the FLFAM had no control over wholesalers and retailers, it believed that the current prices charged were fair to traders and consumers.

He attributed this to the fact that production costs had increased significantly.

Kwei was speaking in response to a news report that the price of chicken in several states had increased drastically over the past few days.

He however lamented the fact that ex-farm chicken prices had dropped to RM3.80 per kilo as a result of reduced demand following the fuel hike announcement on June 4, and said he hoped for a corresponding drop of retail price in the market to reflect the current situation and encourage consumption.

Ex-farm prices are largely dependent on demand and supply, he added.

Kwei argued that the RM6 per kilo ceiling price set by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for standard chicken was no longer sustainable nor reasonable in light of the increasing production costs.

He said the price of standard chicken for farmers should be around RM6.10 per kilo while super chicken (without shank, head, liver and gizzard) should be sold at RM6.90 per kilo.

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