SIBU: The shortage of chicken eggs in the market has become a hot issue in the country. Recently, eggs were in great demand in Sarawak which celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak back to back.
During both festivals, most of the biscuits, cakes and dishes used chicken eggs as their ingredients. During Gawai, chicken eggs were used during the ‘Miring’ (offering ceremony to the gods).
In daily life, chicken eggs are required by the food industry, food stalls, bakeries and families.
Members of the public are concerned about the shortage of chicken eggs and hope that the government will take steps to ensure it will not happen in the near future.
ADRINNA ARUN,25
(Human Resource Officer)
The severe shortage of eggs in Sarawak has affected the food business as it is one of the basic ingredients in cooking, especially for those who operate bakeries or sell cakes and biscuits. The shortage of the chicken eggs will cause the prices to spike and push up the cost of production for the food business.
ANASTASIA CHARLIE, 46
(Teacher)
The severe shortage of eggs has pushed up the prices of eggs and this has worried the B40 group as it is one of their most popular sources of protein. Hence, I hope that the Ministry of Domestic Trade And Consumer Affairs will resolve this matter and collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries to support the local chicken breeders., she said.
LEANDRO MCRAE, 26
(Centre head).
The shortage of eggs in the market has a lot of impact on all consumers. The most notable effect was the sharp rise in egg prices. This has affected businesses that use eggs as one of the basic ingredients to be disrupted and manufacturing costs to rise,” he said.
FRANCISCA SANGGAU, 28
(Housewife).
It was hard to look for chicken eggs for the Gawai celebration this year. Some stalls or supermarkets even allowed us to buy only two trays of eggs. The prices of the eggs are definitely increasing. As a housewife from a B40 family, I must say that eggs are actually the most important food, especially towards the end of the month. So, I hope the government will resolve the issue,” she said.
CLAUDIA LENYYA JANA, 26
(Student)
As a student living in a hostel, I admit it is quite difficult to cook as there are certain limitations. So eggs are the most fun to cook, especially for breakfast. it can be boiled using only a water heater. The high chicken egg prices are quite worrying. The government should resolve the issue, perhaps by working with certain agencies.
