POKOK SENA (Bernama): The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has identified that soaring cost of imported chicken feed as one of the main reasons behind the increase in the price of eggs in the market. Its Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said most of the chicken feed was imported from countries like Brazil and Argentina with the business transaction conducted in Singapore before the supply was brought into the country. “The import of chicken feed is worth about RM35bil a year, and not many traders involved in this business because when I was first appointed as a minister I was looking at this business and found only 25 or 26 traders. He was commenting on the increase in the price of eggs in the local market and whether there were cartels and monopolies involved in controlling the prices. Meanwhile, according to the Veterinary Services Department portal, the current price of eggs recorded on Dec 4 was at 43 sen each for 'AA' grade, followed by 42 sen for 'A' grade, 'B' grade (41 sen), 'C' grade (40 sen), D grade (38 sen) and E grade (36 sen).

Source: The Star December 16, 2018 12:00 UTC