JOHOR BARU: Johor is not facing a "critical" shortage in the supply of eggs.
State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the state, which is one of the largest producers of the protein staple in Malaysia, is however experiencing more demand due to exports in Singapore and other states such as Negri Sembilan.
Asked whether discussions have been held with poultry associations to address the issue, he said a meeting was held in July.
"They have also met with the minister after that. I am not sure about the decision made at the federal level at the time but I believe they will be meeting the minister again," he said to reporters on the sidelines of the state assembly session in Kota Iskandar here today.
He was reluctant to say much on the issue so as to not make contradictory statements with Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.
On Tuesday(Dec 5), Mohamad announced that the government has agreed to import chicken eggs from several foreign sources as a short-term solution to meet domestic demand.
He said the was meant to ease the pressure off the local chicken egg industry operators while ensuring that the supply in the country was not disrupted so that the source of protein was available in the market.
The decision is expected to be reviewed once the supplies stabilise.
Malaysians reportedly consume an average of 968 million eggs monthly.
Meanwhile Zahari further said that Johor's food supplies were sufficient to last the year-end monsoon disruptions that stretches to the Chinese New Year.
"We are gathering information from the related departments at the moment.
"I admit that there is a dip in the volume of fish caught from November.
"However, based on The Malaysian Fisheries Development Board(LKIM) records of the previous monsoon season's demand and the current volume of fish caught, we project that there would be a sufficient supply of fish.
"This could last up to early next year," he said, adding that his visits to catchment locations assured him as much.
Zahari said that the state's exchange with those involved in agricultural activities have also informed him that there would be sufficient supply of vegetables.
"There may be an increase due to a spike in demand or shortages that come about due to floods especially at crop production areas. But for now it is sufficient."