Rise in Food Export Curbs Sparks Concerns

Malaysia says it will reduce chicken exports beginning in June due to domestic shortages. In Asia, India has prohibited wheat exports, while Indonesia has prohibited the export of palm oil. It comes as the world is experiencing the worst food crisis in decades as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

One agriculture expert expressed concern about the region's governments' potential rise in "food nationalism." Chicken prices in Malaysia have risen in recent months, and some retailers have set limits on how much meat customers can purchase. Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced on Monday that the South East Asian country will stop exporting up to 3.6 million chickens per month "until domestic prices and production stabilise." "Our own people are the government's priority," he said in a statement.

Singapore, where Malaysian imports account for roughly a third of its chicken supplies, appears to be particularly hard hit by the move. Later that day, the Singapore Food Agency advised shoppers to buy frozen chicken instead of buying on the spur of the moment.

"While there may be temporary disruptions to the supply of chilled chicken, frozen chicken options remain available to mitigate the shortfall," the agency said in a statement. "We also advise consumers to buy only what they need."