Reuters – Singapore is bracing for a shortage of its de facto national dish, chicken rice, after major supplier Malaysia halted all chicken exports as of June 1.
Malaysian chicken production has been disrupted by a global feed shortage.
The export ban is the latest sign of growing food shortages as countries — reeling from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, extreme weather and pandemic-related supply disruptions — scramble to shore up domestic supplies and tame inflation.
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Singapore, although among the wealthiest countries in Asia, has a heavily urbanized area of just 730 square kilometres. Nearly all chicken is imported, with 34 per cent from Malaysia, 49 per cent from Brazil and 12 per cent from the U.S., according to data from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
The SFA has said the shortfall can be offset by frozen chicken from Brazil and has urged consumers to opt for other protein like fish.
Malaysia, itself facing soaring prices, has decided to halt chicken exports until the sector stabilizes.
