Agriculture and food industries minister Ronald Kiandee said the government would study whether to maintain the subsidy, float the price or reopen the export of whole chicken abroad.

The government had capped the retail price of chicken at RM9.40 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia from July 1 to Aug 31, with the retail ceiling price of Grade A chicken eggs set at 45 sen each, Grade B eggs at 43 sen each, and Grade C eggs at 41 sen each.

Kiandee said the government was aware that there were some who were selling standard chicken at lower than the set ceiling price.

“From the industry’s perspective, we set price controls but the government compensates by giving subsidies to farmers at RM1.20 per kg.

“So the government’s move (in giving subsidies) has stabilised chicken supplies and prices in the market,” he said.

Kiandee was speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition here, held from Aug 4-14.

The biennial exhibition was last held in 2018 before being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.