KUCHING, Nov 2: “I hope people will not ‘chicken out’ in buying chicken once its price spikes caused by the end of government subsidies,” says vendor Bujang Sulaiman.
Bujang Sulaiman, a vendor at the Seven Mile Wet Market in Kota Sentosa, has been selling dressed chicken since the 1990s. Over the years, he has witnessed multiple increases in the price of chicken.
“In the past, I sold a kilogramme of dressed chicken for around RM6. Currently, I am selling it for RM12. That means, since I started selling here, there has been more than a 50 per cent increase. It is a significant hike,” he explained.
“This increase could potentially impact my business and those who rely on chicken meat. The public, being the end consumers, will have to dig deeper into their pockets to purchase chicken meat,” he told DayakDaily.
Bujang Sulaiman expressed concern that the prices offered by chicken vendors like himself would consistently be higher than those at retailers and supermarkets, which could exacerbate the situation.
“We cannot compete with these big entities and players as they can use marketing strategies to lower their prices and attract more customers. It won’t affect them much because they have the resources for it,” he added.
Bujang Sulaiman also highlighted the changing demographic patterns, especially among younger consumers who prefer not to buy chicken from wet markets. This shift could further impact the business.
However, he remains optimistic, noting that chicken meat is still more affordable than other meats such as beef, mutton, pork, and seafood.
“People, especially my regular customers, will continue to buy chicken meat despite the price increase. I hope the government can provide assistance to both vendors and consumers during these challenging times.”
Pin Pin, a chicken rice vendor operating a stall at a cafe in BDC commercial center, expressed concern about how the rising chicken prices might affect her daily business.
Despite maintaining her chicken rice prices at a range of RM7 to RM12 while experiencing a thriving business, any surge in chicken prices could potentially lead to adverse consequences.
“I’m not overly concerned at the moment, but we need to wait and see how it unfolds. It’s a ‘wait and see’ game for us in this business since chicken is our primary dish,” Pin Pin commented.
She noted that people frequent her stall because they consider chicken a nutritious and time-efficient option. Over the years, she has maintained reasonable prices that patrons are willing to pay.
For Pin Pin, her business is a family’s only source of income, and she hopes that the increase in chicken prices won’t create issues for her livelihood.
“I hope all chicken vendors can sustain their businesses because chicken meals remain the most affordable option for many people. It would be worrying if it affects them too,” she concluded. — DayakDaily
