Chicken prices skyrocketed

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is outraged by the fact that chicken retail price increased to between RM9 and RM11 per kg during the third week of June. It had increased between RM1.50 to RM3.50 within a week.

We urge the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to act fast because chicken is an important source of a more affordable white meat.

Retailers told our research officer that the increase is attributed to additional cost incurred by farms that slaughtered, dressed then transported the chicken to the retailers.

We call upon the KPDNHEP to check if the price increase is justifiable. Consumers are finding their pieces of chicken shrinking in size at eateries.

If chicken processing at farms is the cause of skyrocketing prices, then the government should heed what we suggested in March that markets be allowed to slaughter chicken. Selling ‘factory’ dressed chicken does not serve the interest of consumers, moreover, at preposterous prices.

Press Statement, 20 June 2020