Malaysia’s Poultry Tug‑of‑War: Subsidies are a No‑no by August, but the Export Ban Still Holds Tight
On a sunny Thursday that might feel like a rainy day in the Parliament, Agriculture Minister Ronald Kiandee flipped the script on the poultry industry. He announced that the government will stop slapping subsidies on chicken and egg growers on 31 August. But the export ban on live poultry will remain in place until the market calms down.
Why the Ban? A Global Feed Fiasco
It wasn’t just a local issue. A worldwide feed shortage—thanks to the Russia‑Ukraine conflict—hit Malaysia hard. The country, which mostly ships fresh chickens to Singapore and Thailand, slapped the ban in June to keep domestic prices from climbing like a bird on a flight training it at altitude.
What’s the Current Situation?
Three weeks on, the supply is a bit too heavy. Kiandee told the Senate that the market is now a slight oversupply of poultry. While that might sound like a good thing, the ministry’s “over‑stock” has kept the export block in place, causing knock‑on effects.
Opposition Pushback
- Wong Shu Qi from the opposition slammed the ban, saying that Malaysian buyers had been forced to dig out chickens from elsewhere.
<li Kiandee answered with a quick – and somewhat reassuring – note: the ban is temporary and not an unprecedented measure. Other countries dealing with food shortages have gone down a similar rabbit hole.
Citizens—Here’s the Bottom Line
When the entire country stabilizes—meaning not just a handful of surplus spots but the whole poultry supply chain smoothens—Kiandee promised the government will decide to lift the export restriction.
Meanwhile, a 1.1 billion ringgit (€340 million) package of subsidies has already been approved. It’s a kind of “financial cushion” for farmers should their feed costs surge and export income sputter.
What You Should Keep in Mind
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<li Subsidies end on 31 August. No more cash bites for chicken and egg farmers.
<li Export ban stays. The market will hold until the next big supply shake‑up.
<li Government helps farmers. 1.1 billion ringgit rolled into budgets to smooth out the economy’s bird‑flight turbulence.
So, keep your eyes peeled. The next moves will be critical for both the gritty farmer and the hungry consumer in Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
