He said the move was to address the supply shortage and stabilise the price of chicken.

“We do not recommend that producers stop or reduce chicken imports because in the long run it will be detrimental and the exporting countries will look for other sources.

“The companies involved have also signed a long-term agreement and they cannot simply stop the supply,” he told reporters at the Melaka Zoo today.

On Feb 9, the Cabinet agreed to provide subsidies for chicken and eggs to poultry farmers during the Keluarga Malaysia maximum price control scheme until June 4.

Under the scheme, farmers will receive a subsidy of 60 sen per kg for live chickens and whole chickens, and 5 sen per egg from all categories.

Agriculture and food industries minister Ronald Kiandee had said that the subsidies would ease the burden of farmers following the increase in costs, especially for feed, which covers 70% of production costs.