Ismail said the additional time was necessary to ensure that domestic chicken supply is sufficient and the price is stable, even though there is currently an oversupply of chicken.

“We have discussed (this matter) in the Cabinet but we cannot make a decision yet as the chicken price is still subsidised. We will wait for one or two months, when this subsidy ends on Aug 31,” he said in a television interview on the eve of his first anniversary in office.

If there is plentiful supply and the price is low, exports may be allowed but not if chicken supply is insufficient for domestic needs, causing the price to go up, he said.

Chicken exports were banned from June 1 in the midst of a shortage of chicken supply that caused the price to increase.

However, an oversupply of chicken recently caused poultry farmers to urge the government to lift the ban.