The local supply of chickens has been adjusted according to the anticipated demand for the current year, hence it cannot respond to sudden surges in demand.

President of the Federation of Livestock Farmers Association of Malaysia (FLFAM), Kwei Yew Tong said this was because the supply involved a biological process of production with a long run-up period from the starting point of the production chain.

"The increase in demand for chicken is also due to other competing protein food price, such as that of fish and meat, which is beyond our control," he said in a statement, here, today.

Kwei said based on the data supplied by the Department of Veterinary Services, the average weekly output of broiler chickens for July this year was 11,938,505 compared to 10,698,861 for the same month, last year.

Nonetheless, Kwei said, the association took a neutral view on any plans to import whole chickens to meet consumer demands.

"The local production of broiler chickens has always been directed towards sufficient supply for consumers at a reasonable price. However, there is no mechanism available to adjust the output at any particular time," he said.

Noting that the country had been importing frozen chicken from overseas for many years, Kwei said the poultry industry had accepted the situation as a reality of global trade and had no objection to the importation.

On Sunday, the import permits for whole chicken were immediately opened by the government to stabilise the price and meet the increasing demand during the festive season.