Indonesia looks to plug shortage of chicken supplies in Singapore

Malaysia halted chicken exports this month until local production and soaring costs stabilise

Indonesian authorities hope to reach an agreement with Singapore to start exporting chickens within weeks, officials said, as the city-state scrambles to find alternative supply sources after another neighbour Malaysia restricted sales, Qazet.az reports.

In a further sign of growing global food shortages and supply chain issues, Malaysia halted chicken exports this month until local production and soaring costs stabilise.

Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official at Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, said authorities had conducted "technical discussions" with Singapore and hoped exports could start this month.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a statement it was "working closely" with Indonesian authorities over accreditation of the country as a potential source of chicken imports.

Indonesia currently has a surplus in chicken production.

Indonesia produces 55 million to 60 million birds per week, with a surplus of around 15% to 20% after domestic consumption, Qazet.az reports according to Achmad Dawami - the chairman of the Indonesian Poultry Breeders' Association.

Singapore wanted to import live chickens in order to keep their domestic slaughterhouses operational, Dawami said, noting Indonesian producers preferred exporting slaughtered chicken since they lacked experience in shipping live poultry.

Malaysia moved to partially lift its export ban on certain premium chickens last week.

But a ban on exporting commercial broiler chicken - which makes up the majority of Singapore's chicken imports from Malaysia - and other types of chicken products will remain.