Caterers feel pinch of chicken shortage, forced to cut down orders, increase price

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia is facing shortage of chicken and increase in the price of foods which is affecting many including those in the food industry.

Among them who felt the pinch in the shortage were restaurateur and caterers who would usually purchase chickens in bulks to meet the demands of their customers.

This, had caused several caterers to not operate for days.

For Kumaran who owns a catering business, this was the first time he had experienced such situation in seven years.

The 30-year old from Melaka said he had to close down his shop for a day and sometimes for days due to chicken shortage.

"In my seven years of experience, this is the first time I was forced to close my shop for a day because of this issue.

"I had to visit more than five suppliers a day just to find chickens and some shops even limit the purchase to one customer one chicken," he told Sinar Daily.

Kumaran said he had to reduce the number of orders as he was unable to get the supply of chicken to cook meals for 500 pax.

He said if this continues, most of the caterers in this country would be affected.

"People are suffering, so I hope the government will come up with a solution," he said.

Meanwhile caterer Alias, 60, from Tanjung Malim said he was facing issues on price hikes of foods.

He said he noticed the difference in prices especially for raw meat and vegetables.

Hence, he said he had to increase the price of his catering packages.

He said this had also led him to not take orders for food that involves chicken.

"I had to increase the price of the packages I offer and sometimes I don't take orders due to chicken shortage," he said.

Alias also said the crisis would likely affect his business of more than 30 years.

Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the country would stop the exports of up to 3.6 million chickens from June 1, until chicken prices and production stabilise.

The government has also abolished Approved Permit (AP) for chicken, including whole chicken and chicken parts.

The country has joined other governments in taking steps to secure their own supplies with food costs surging to record highs as the Ukraine war chokes crop supplies, piling inflationary pain on consumers.

Food prices in the Southeast Asian nation jumped four per cent year-on-year in March, the most since December 2017, as the cost of chicken and vegetables spiked more than 10 per cent.