Selected Food Items Within Controlled Price Ranges Despite Input Pressures - Akmal
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Selected food items remain within controlled price ranges despite early signs of input pressures, said Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
He said that from April 20 to 22, the price movements of selected food items remained stable, with fluctuations of less than 10 per cent.
The Minister noted that the average price of standard chicken rose 3.3 per cent to RM9.70 per kg, Grade C chicken eggs rose 7.3 per cent to RM3.93 for 10 eggs, while beef fell 3.8 per cent to RM35.92 per kg.
"As for seafood, the price of kembung fish fell 1.1 per cent to RM16.10 per kg, while cencaru fish and white shrimp rose 0.95 per cent to RM10.36 per kg and 0.61 per cent to RM32.03 per kg, respectively.
"As for vegetables, sawi increased from RM6.16 per kg to RM6.51 per kg, green spinach rose nearly five per cent to RM5.59 per kg and fresh coconut milk rose 3.6 per cent to RM16.41 per kg," he said during the global supply crisis briefing today.
Akmal Nasrullah elaborated that the trend indicates cost pressures on inputs and logistics are beginning to show early warning signs affecting the domestic food supply chain.
"That is why monitoring cannot be done only at the retail price level. It must start at the upstream level, covering fertiliser, diesel, energy, raw materials, production, transportation and distribution.
"The government will continue to carry out appropriate monitoring and interventions to reduce the impact on consumers and maintain price stability," he emphasised.
On the labour market, the Minister added that conditions remain under control, although delayed effects need to be addressed proactively.
He noted that unemployment benefit application data under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Employment Insurance System shows a declining trend this month.
A total of 5,734 workers were reported to have lost their jobs in the first three weeks of April, lower than the 5,855 workers in March and 7,512 workers in February.
"As was communicated in the previous briefing, the impact on the labour market is expected to become more pronounced in the second quarter of 2026, particularly due to the delayed effects of the global supply crisis.
"Based on reports submitted to the Labour Department, the five main sectors affected from January to March 2026 are manufacturing, other services, information and communications, accommodation and food services, as well as transportation and storage," he said.
Therefore, the Minister said the government will continue to pursue a strategic focus on strengthening the resilience of the domestic labour market and protecting both workers and employers from the impact of this crisis, using existing initiatives.
These initiatives, he said, include strengthening social protection, enhancing job training and placement, empowering gig workers, and developing young talent, as well as building the resilience of micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) employers.
"In conclusion, the government views the ongoing global pressures with serious concern, and although the domestic market continues to show resilience, the government recognises that the full impact of the crisis will emerge gradually.
"This impact will be felt through food costs, energy prices, construction materials, development projects, business cash flow, and the livelihoods of the people."
"That is why the government's approach is to stabilise supply, control cost pressures, protect jobs, continue vital projects that have a direct impact on the people, strengthen domestic resources and maintain the nation's economic confidence," he explained.
-- BERNAMA
