ALOR STAR: Chicken prices in rural parts of Kedah have remained stable despite ceiling prices and subsidies for the birds being discontinued, effective from yesterday.
Surveys in farmers' markets around Pokok Sena, Kuala Nerang, and Naka found traders offering RM7.90 to RM9.40 per kilogram for standard chicken, not exceeding the discontinued ceiling price.
Nasir Zainol, 58, a chicken trader in Kuala Nerang, said he currently offers customers RM7.90 per kg for 'standard' chicken and RM8.90 for the 'super' variant.
He said chicken prices have remained stable as suppliers have ample supplies of birds to satisfy the current demand.
"Traders from around this town will not offer more than RM9.40 per kg because our suppliers have not increased their prices despite the subsidy withdrawals.
"Currently, I'm receiving live chicken from suppliers for about RM5.80 per kg. Other traders purchase slaughtered birds for a price of RM6.80 per kg here.
"Based on those prices, traders around these parts can offer their customers affordable prices and still maintain a good profit margin," he said when met at the Kuala Nerang farmers' market today.
Nasir, who has been trading chicken for over 20 years, said the prices may rise during festive periods as demand increases.
"Usually, the government would impose some sort of price control during those periods to prevent excessive price hikes.
"Hopefully, the government could maintain these prices as consumers are more willing to spend at the current rate, and traders can profit as well; it's a win-win," he added.
Salmah Man, 42, a chicken trader from Pokok Sena, claimed that chicken suppliers have gradually lowered their prices by about 30 sen per kg every week in the past month.
"I receive chicken from suppliers at a price of RM7.10 per kg currently, and I've been told that this may go down to RM6.80 per kg soon.
"Suppliers are also no longer imposing hidden additional charges for the supplies as well; no more transportation costs or processing costs anymore," said Salmah, who offers standard chicken at RM8.90 per kg.
Salmah confirmed that despite ceiling prices being removed, traders in Pokok Sena have opted to maintain their prices to attract more customers.
"I'm offering similar prices to everyone else here. Maybe small-scale traders in isolated villages would offer higher prices to obtain a larger profit margin as they have lower sales volume," she added.
Fatin Shahrin, 22, a cashier at a fresh produce mart in Naka, said that her employer has maintained a chicken price of RM8.90 per kg.
"We also offer a deal of RM7.90 per kg to customers that purchase two whole chickens at once here. This offer has been set for the past several weeks," she said.
Meanwhile, state Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry office director Affendi Rajini Kanth said he has yet to receive any complaints regarding chicken prices in the state.
He urged consumers to practice smart shopping practices and to report any price hikes to the ministry's office.
On Monday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that subsidies and price controls for chicken would be discontinued from Nov 1.
He reportedly said the chicken supply in the country remains sufficient and cost of chicken production has begun to stabilise, contributing to the current market prices being below the ceiling price.