Discussion to be held on chicken prices

4 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: A special engagement session with poultry producers, importers and consumers will be held soon to address issues related to chicken prices and the role of middlemen in the supply chain.

Its Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI)Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said the session is expected to take place before Christmas, following the conclusion of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

“We will hold the engagement session as soon as possible—preferably before Christmas. We want to bring producers, importers and consumers to the same table to find the best solutions,” he said when met during an official visit to the Kota Kinabalu Regional Veterinary Services Department here today.

He was accompanied by MAFFI Permanent Secretary, Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong.

Jamawi said one of the key matters to be discussed is reducing the role of middlemen, who are believed to be the reason local chicken is priced higher than imported chicken.

“We are trying to reduce the role of middlemen. When local chicken is more expensive, consumers choose imported chicken. This causes local producers to complain that their businesses are affected.

“Consumers, on the other hand, want affordable prices. But in many cases, the price from producer to consumer is influenced by middlemen,” he said.

Jamawi also emphasised that the State Government is committed to strengthening the Sabah Agricultural Marketing Authority (SAMA), a new marketing agency placed under his ministry to regulate the marketing chain of agricultural, livestock and fishery products.

“We thank the Chief Minister because SAMA has been reactivated as a marketing agency. Over the next five years, we will strengthen SAMA to counter the excessive role of middlemen in the market,” he said.

He noted that Sabah’s chicken market currently has a self-sufficiency level (SSL) of around 95 per cent, although a small portion still relies on imports, which are often linked to smuggling issues.

“If we can fully control supply and demand, we can reduce imports. However, certain products like chicken wings still need to be imported because demand is very high — each chicken only has two wings,” he remarked jokingly.

According to him, the Government wants to ensure local chicken prices become competitive again to curb smuggling and protect local producers.

“If we can offer better prices for local chicken, there will be no need for uncontrolled importation. This also reduces the risk of non-halal or unsafe products entering the market,” he stressed.

Jamawi said measures to be undertaken include improving market data, coordinating supply and increasing local production capacity.

“What matters most is that we ensure the people get reasonable prices, producers remain competitive and the role of middlemen is reduced,” he said.

He added that the ministry will make further announcements after the engagement session is held in the near future.

Also present was Dr Mary Josephine Golongai, who delivered a briefing on the Veterinary Services Department.