LABUAN: While many shops have recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and kept their shelves restocked, consumers on the island are still having difficulty getting eggs.
Labuan Veterinary Services Department deputy director Dr Larry David said the shortage was due to a limited volume of export from poultry farms in Sabah to the island coupled with a surge in demand.
"We requested one million eggs per month and it was approved by the Sabah Veterinary Services Department back in November last year, but records show we only received 750,000 eggs from suppliers.
"Labuan previously received two million eggs every month, and the request for one million is actually insufficient to meet the increasing demand here," he told Bernama when contacted earlier today.
Elfriene S. Aguinaldo, manager of Labuan's largest hypermarket Bataras Sdn Bhd, said they received two batches of 3,000 trays of eggs (grades A, B, C and premium grade) every week.
"Of the 3,000, at least 30 per cent is channelled to our branch at the Financial Park Complex, and the remainder is left on our shelves for our regular bake shop and walk-in customers.
"The supply of eggs can last a day upon arrival. We are experiencing supply issues across our fresh egg range. We are working hard to resolve these issues and apologise for any inconvenience caused," he said.
Aguinaldo said Grade A eggs are sold at RM15.30 (RM14.70 previously) per tray, Grade B RM15 (RM14.40), Grade C RM14.70 (RM14.10), with an increase of between 40 sen and 60 sen.
"Looking at the uplift in demand for eggs, the quota of egg supply to Bataras should be increased," he said.
Labuan's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) director, Junaidah Arbain, said that despite the tight supply situation, prices were still within the stipulated ceiling price.
"The volume of supply has remained stable over the last few months amid a slight increase in prices," she said.
She noted that there were public complaints on exorbitant prices of eggs, but the complaints only involved premium grades, which are not controlled by the ministry. -- Bernama