Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government will, however, review the ceiling price for chickens to ensure the welfare of consumers and breeders are taken care of.

Nanta said the retail price of chicken was set at RM9.10 per kg until Feb 4 under the price control scheme but farmers had complained about the ceiling price due to the costs they had to incur and the duration of the price scheme, which they said was too long.

“My ministry will cooperate with the agriculture and food industries ministry (Mafi) to come up with the best mechanism to set retail and wholesale prices.”

He added that an engagement session was held yesterday between his ministry, the finance ministry, Mafi, and the farmers’ association.

“The farmers said that the increase in livestock prices and operating costs was due to the soaring price of imported chicken feed.

“Consumers should understand this problem because it is quite complicated. It is not easy to keep prices low because then farmers would not be able to provide the supply,” he told reporters after handing over flood relief assistance to victims housed at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Rambai here today.

“The ceiling price may be high but we have other options, such as importing chickens. If that happens, the prices should not go up.”