PETALING JAYA: Traders are urging the government to lift price controls on eggs to help breeders increase production, saying that this is a better solution than importing eggs to overcome the continuing shortage.
Chicken egg imports from India arrived in the country on Dec 19.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said the imported eggs at its outlets had sold out quickly.
“The second batch arrives today (yesterday),” he said.
According to him, the imported chicken eggs are likely categorised as Grade D, with the weight being 55g, lighter than Grade C eggs that weigh between 55g and 59g.
He said a tray of imported eggs sold at RM14.90 for 30 eggs or 50 sen each, and the price is higher compared to Grade A ones at 45 sen each, Grade B (43 sen) and Grade C (41 sen) in Peninsular Malaysia, but cheaper than Omega eggs, which costs 65 sen each.
Ameer said consumers had been buying Omega eggs when the regular eggs were in short supply, and now imported eggs are an option for them.
He said that as a long-term solution, the government should deal with local egg breeders as consumers cannot afford to keep paying higher prices.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would import between two million and 10 million eggs daily from India starting yesterday until the supply in the country stabilises.
Supermarket chain NSK Group senior adviser Datuk Lim Choon Se said the company does not plan to sell imported chicken eggs.
“We have no idea where to get them, but we prefer local eggs.
“Our stand remains – limit consumer buying. It should be enough for consumers,” he added.
Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia president Hong Chee Meng raised concerns about imported eggs and how to handle and prepare them carefully to prevent the spread of salmonella.