Singapore businesses and consumers are rushing to figure out how to cope with Malaysia’s impending halt of some chicken exports.
From Wednesday, Malaysia will ban the export of 3.6 million chickens a month to ease rising food costs and ensure adequate domestic supplies. The move has left Singapore stores selling chicken products in limbo, and consumers apprehensive about whether they will still be able to enjoy favourite meals such as chicken rice.
“My family loves the dish and we eat it about two or three times week,” said William Tan, an engineer. “I’m still thankful that many chicken rice stalls I patronize have not raised their prices. But it probably means they are absorbing the extra cost, so I’m not sure if it’s sustainable for them.”
