KOTA KINABALU: Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar says a special engagement session with poultry producers, importers and consumers will be held before Christmas to address rising chicken prices and the influence of middlemen.
He said the meeting aims to bring all parties to the same table to find a workable solution, after concerns were raised during his visit to the Kota Kinabalu Regional Veterinary Services Department on Thursday.
Jamawi said middlemen were widely believed to be driving up local chicken prices, prompting consumers to switch to cheaper imported chicken and leaving local producers struggling.
He added that the State Government intends to strengthen the Sabah Agricultural Marketing Authority (Sama) to regulate the supply chain better, improve price stability and curb excessive reliance on imported products.
Jamawi said the ministry will streamline market data, coordinate supply and boost production capacity, with further announcements to be made after the engagement session.
