Cartel pushes the price of chicken up

Poultry prices soar up 42 per cent in Kedah

Soaring poultry prices in Kedah have forced families to reduce their intake and switch to fish and beef.

The New Straits Times reported that the price of chicken had surged to RM9 per kg from the previous RM6.30 per kg.

The 42 per cent hike has forced many consumers in the northern state, especially the low-income group, to either dig deeper into their pockets or reduce their poultry intake.

Many families called on the government to check on the sudden hike as the fasting month was just round the corner.

Petty trader Othman Hussain, 47, said although his children preferred chicken, but he had no choice but to switch to beef or fish due to the steep hike.

Poultry farmers claimed that the recent haze and the rise in the price of chicken feed, were the reasons for the hike.

However, this claim was questioned by Kedah Consumers Association chairman Datuk Yusoff Ismail, who expressed surprise at the soaring prices.

“The fasting month has not begun but the price of poultry has gone up. If authorities do not check the matter, what will happen as Hari Raya Aidilfitri approaches?”

Unfortunately, authorities have said that they could not do anything about the situation.

Kedah Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism director Mohd Sakri Saleh said they could only “control” the chicken prices and other essential food and non-items two weeks before a festive season.

“The sudden hike of chicken prices is due to a sudden increase of demand for the item. It was a normal thing considering Ramadan was around the corner,” he said, adding they were aware of the situation as poultry prices started to increase about a month ago.-TMI

****************************************

There is a way to get out from the greed of cartel and that is by recycling food waste and turn it into precious commodity for own consumption.