Bad News For Egg Lovers: Prices of Eggs Could Rise Fast Soon Due to Lower Supply from M’sia

Zhi Hao

2018-12-13 , 4:10 pm

If you’re one of those that can’t survive without eggs, in the sense that you must…

Have 6 egg whites in the morning
Fulfil your daily nutritional needs with tamagoyaki
Chug down 3 egg yolks in the evening

OR YOU’LL DIE, I’m afraid I have some pretty bad news to tell you:

Your wallet might be in imminent danger.

Why, you ask. Well, it’s actually because…

The prices of eggs could rise pretty darn soon.

SO NOT EGG-CITING

According to The New Paper, it’s unlikely that there will be a respite from the price increases for eggs anytime soon. This revelation comes after a major supplier to Singapore warns that exports may be restricted.

In fact, the situation has gotten so dire that Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has stepped in.

On Monday (11 Dec), he expressed that the country was looking into the limitation, or even halting of the export of eggs.

Apparently, the move was to make sure there’s a sufficient supply for the domestic market.

“We will study if stopping the export is reasonable or not, even if it is for a short term. If it helps to reduce the price of eggs and benefit the people, we will definitely look into it,” the minister was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily.

He also added that the average price of chicken eggs increased every week between the middle of last month and this month.

What’s the cause?

Amidst the abrupt price hikes, speculations have arisen, one of which happens to be alleged cartel activity. Residents in Penang, Sarawak and Putrajaya are convinced that it’s the primary reason behind price hikes in mid-November.

However, it’s not yet confirmed, with checks being carried out nationwide at the production, distribution and wholesale stages to determine the actual cause.

“If the traders are purposely increasing the price of eggs in order to make exorbitant profits, the ministry will not hesitate to take action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” Mr Saifuddin said.

But wait a moment

Yeah, Malaysia’s egg suppliers are undeniably being affected.

But what does that have to do with us?

After all, we’re Singaporean, we speak Singlish, and as far as our local Ah Hock’s concerned, we eat Singapore eggs. So what’s the deal?

Well, lest you’re unaware, local egg farms, such as Seng Choon Farm, Chew’s Agriculture Pte Ltd and others supply 26 per cent of the eggs consumed in Singapore.

The rest, or 74 per cent, is imported. And here’s the thing: Malaysian farms, whether we like to admit it or not, remain a key source.

So yeah. For lack of a better phrase…

The situation’s complete rotten eggs right now.

Just how rotten is rotten though?

Well, according to Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News, the wholesale price of an egg has leapt from 10 cents in April to 16 cents.

So yeah, on a scale of how rotten it is…

I would say it’s a near 98% score.

And so at the end of the line…

Well, back in my army days we had a saying:

“If shit hits the fan, you just pray hard that it won’t hit you.”

But then again…

I’m afraid this shit is gonna spread pretty wide.

So folks, if you love eggs more than your own family members…

Maybe you should start appreciating your family more. For the sake of your poor wallet.