Singapore is facing a serious shortage of chicken meat, but Vietnamese livestock companies do not have a surplus to export to the island.

Deputy chairman of the Dong Nai Province Poultry Association, Nguyen Kim Doan, said it was a rare opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to export poultry to Singapore, but the current supply is only enough to meet domestic demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the livestock industry, he said.

It caused feed prices to rise and heavy losses to many farmers, and many farming households in Dong Nai reduced their flocks by half, so chicken supply was no longer abundant, he said.

Besides, to export to a completely new market, businesses would need to complete extensive processes including obtaining certificates of international standard slaughter, freezing and food safety, he added.

Malaysia has halted the export of chicken since it faces a shortage itself.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on May 23 that the ban on the export of chicken would be effective until production and prices stabilise.

The country used to export 3.6 million tonnes of chicken a month.

Singapore has warned that the ban could lead to temporary unavailability of chilled chicken. — VNS