SALE OF CHICKENS AND EGGS (Measures against profiteering)

Column: 839

SALE OF CHICKENS AND EGGS:

(Measures against profiteering): 11.

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether his Ministry has taken measures to ensure that fair trading is being practised in the sale of chicken and eggs between traders and consumers; and (b) what enforcement measures are being taken to check against profiteering.

The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Heng Chee How) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, as with all commodities, the prices for eggs and poultry reflect market forces of demand and supply. The suspension of the import of poultry and eggs from Malaysia on 18th August following the bird flu outbreak in Kelantan had resulted in a significant reduction in the supply of these items in our market. This is because Malaysia supplied about 50% of chickens and 70% of eggs

Column: 840

consumed in Singapore. Inevitably, the prices of chickens and eggs rose. The price of chicken increased (by about 50%) from $4.62 per kg before the ban to a peak of $7 per kg, while the price of egg rose from 16 cents to 55 cents.

To ease the supply shortfall, AVA worked closely with importers and wholesalers to increase the import of frozen poultry, eggs, as well as powdered and liquid eggs from alternative approved sources. AVA also worked closely with Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to resume the import of poultry and eggs from Johor and Malacca, without compromising public health. The imports from Johor and Malacca resumed on 30th September. This has eased the supply situation and moderated the prices of chicken to $5.17 per kg and egg to 26 cents.

The making available of more supplies and market competition will greatly diminish any opportunity for profiteering. Consumers can also play their part to combat any tendency towards profiteering by switching to other food products, as well as not purchasing from vendors who charge excessively. Consumers who have encountered such an opportunistic pricing practice by egg and poultry traders can lodge their feedback with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE can also help to publicise this so as to put pressure on such traders.