No-go for kampung chickens in export about-face

POULTRY suppliers’ relief at being able to supply Malaysian kampung chickens to Singapore turned out to be short-lived after they received word that the premium birds would not be allowed in after all.

“We received the latest update on May 31 from the relevant agencies that all live chickens are not allowed to be exported to Singapore from Jun 1,” said Scott Ang, spokesman of Aqina farm which sells organic kampong as well as regular broiler chickens.

This sudden about-turn comes after suppliers had earlier received approval to bring in limited numbers of kampong or free-range chicken, after virtual meetings with the Malaysian authorities. The ban was originally announced to address the chicken shortage in Malaysia, and would continue until domestic prices and production stabilised.