KOTA KINABALU: Production disparities and logistic challenges are among the reasons for the higher price of chicken in Sabah.
Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing minister Datuk James Ratib said more chicken is produced in Peninsular Malaysia, thus creating a price difference between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
He added that the cost of sea freight transportation is also higher for the state of Sabah compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
"This is because the process of changing ships at the Port of Klang has to be done due to local Sabah chicken breeders being unable to import raw materials in large quantities. This leads to an estimated cost increase of between 15 to 20 per cent.
"The cost of raw materials for chicken feed in Sabah is higher, namely, 20 percent, compared to Peninsular Malaysia. This raw material cost contributes 70 per cent to the production cost of chicken meat or chicken eggs.
"Logistics costs are also high due to the vast area, topographical conditions, and less developed road infrastructure compared to Peninsular Malaysia," he said during a question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting.
He was replying to Mohd Tamin @ Tamin bin Zainal (Umno-Pantai Manis) on higher chicken prices in Sabah.
James said with the implementation of the Maximum Price Determination for Chicken and Chicken Eggs (PHMAT), the standard chicken price in Peninsular Malaysia is RM9.40, while the control price in Sabah is RM11.00.
For Super Chicken, in Peninsular Malaysia, it is RM10.40, whereas in Sabah, it is RM12.00.