Ahmad maintained that the ceiling price was revised following discussions and engagements with poultry farmers.

“(These engagements) helped us understand the real situation that farmers are in,” he told a press conference, adding that the ministry will be paying close attention to the issues faced by them.

This ranges from climate change and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war to the rise in costs of animal feed.

Nonetheless, he maintained that the new ceiling price was the right decision, adding that the supply of chicken nationwide was sufficient and stable.

Previously, an association of poultry farmers had called for the ceiling price to be set at RM10.50 at least, saying this was fairer for them in view of the rise in chicken feed prices.

The association also said its members lacked manpower, with Malaysians not interested in working on farms, and foreign workers asking for higher pay.

Effective today, chicken prices are capped at RM9.40 per kg, a 50 sen increase from the previous ceiling price of RM8.90.

The government had also announced a new ceiling price for Grade A chicken eggs at 45 sen each, Grade B (43 sen) and Grade C (41 sen).