FAMA Aims To Export 300 Tonnes Of Processed Chicken To Sabah Annually

MELAKA, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) aims to export about 300 tonnes of processed chicken from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah each year, with an estimated procurement budget of RM3 million.

Its chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the first shipment, consisting of 12 tonnes of processed chicken valued at RM110,000, departed today.

"This initiative aims to meet the demand for processed chicken in Sabah, which currently relies on imports from Thailand and China,” he said.

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He added that the initiative aligns with the amendment to the FAMA Act 1965 (Act 141) which empowers the agency to manage the marketing of livestock products, thereby expanding opportunities for FAMA to promote both agricultural and livestock products.

"It also seeks to assist farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in marketing their products more effectively," he said after officiating the proessed chicken shipment to Sabah at the FAMA office in Melaka today.

Also present were FAMA director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri and Melaka director Nor Azhar Abdul Hamid.

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Commenting on the first shipment to Sabah, Aminuddin said the sea route delivery would take about two weeks and involves several processes, including approval from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

He added that the price of processed chicken for consumers in Sabah is five per cent lower than the current market price of around RM12.40 per kilogramme, with the potential for further reductions if demand increases.

"The processed chicken exported to Sabah will be distributed through FAMA's retail outlets statewide and to wholesalers.

"We hope that FAMA's efforts will provide greater convenience and alternatives for Sabah consumers, who have largely relied on imported supplies," he said.

Aminuddin added that the move to export processed chicken also aims to strengthen collaboration between FAMA and industry stakeholders, including poultry producers and farmers in Peninsular Malaysia, and is not intended to dominate the export market in Sabah.

"Instead, this initiative serves as inspiration and encouragement for importers in Sabah to remain engaged in supplying chicken to the market, helping to offer more competitive prices," he added.

-- BERNAMA