Malaysia to lift ceiling prices for chicken, eggs from July
It will also scrap subsidies for some cooking oil products
22 June 2022
2 minute read
By: Malaysia will lift ceiling prices for chicken and eggs from July, reported Reuters, citing Alexander Nanta Linggi, the minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs said on Tuesday.
"This move is to ensure a more stable supply of food in the market and in the long run, more stabilised prices," he said in a statement, adding price controls had resulted in market and price distortion.
Malaysia will also abolish subsidies for certain cooking oil products from 1 July, in what it said was a move to ensure domestic supply and stabilise prices.
The world's second largest palm oil producer will lift the subsidies for 2 kg (4.4 lb), 3 kg and 5 kg cooking oil bottles, which were introduced last year, but will continue subsidising 1 kg packets.
Prices of global edible oils, including the widely consumed palm oil, have rallied to record highs this year due to supply disruption caused by adverse weather, labour shortages and Russia's invasion of key sunflower oil exporter Ukraine.
Top palm oil producers Indonesia and Malaysia have placed varying subsidies on cooking oils to help control soaring prices and the rising cost of living.
Earlier this month, Malaysia said an increase in government revenue from rising commodity prices was insufficient to offset an expected spike in subsidy spending this year.
It expects to spend 30 billion ringgit ($6.82 billion) on subsidies compared to 4 billion ringgit estimated in this year's budget.
