Kota Kinabalu: Prices of essential food items in Sabah remain significantly higher than in Peninsular Malaysia, with calls for structural reforms to the State’s food system.
Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong said items such as chicken, eggs and vegetables continue to cost more despite ongoing government initiatives.
“Observations from visits to local markets and supermarkets show that prices have remained persistently high for years,” he said.
Wong said chicken and egg prices in Sabah are at least one to two times higher than in West Malaysia.
He cited that a tray of 30 Grade C eggs in Kota Kinabalu is priced around RM14 to RM15 compared to RM6 to RM7 in Kuala Lumpur.
“This is not a short-term issue caused by external factors but points to deeper structural problems within our system,” he said.
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Wong was responding to State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar’s remarks on efforts to reduce reliance on imported animal feed.
He said while initiatives such as commercial corn farming are welcomed, they must be implemented effectively to reduce production costs.
“Sabah should diversify feed sources beyond corn, including palm-based by-products, cassava, rice bran and Black Soldier Fly larvae,” Wong said.
He said logistics and supply chain inefficiencies also contribute to high food prices, with costs incurred across transportation and distribution.
“Sabah remains highly dependent on imports, including feed, rice and vegetables, making it vulnerable to global disruptions,” he added.
Wong called for a coordinated approach to reform the entire food ecosystem to ensure sustainable price reductions and strengthen food security.
