The approval to import eggs from India was granted to only one company so far, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in its bid to alleviate shortages in the domestic market

“The company was given permission to import eggs from India based on their track record in bringing eggs from India to Qatar to meet the needs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

“With the company's ability to deliver eggs in a short time, the ministry has agreed to grant special import approval for a period of six months commencing December 2022,” the ministry told Dewan Rakyat in a written reply dated Tuesday (Feb 28).

Nonetheless, the ministry did not reveal the name of the company that was granted this import approval.

The ministry was responding to Datuk Wan Saifulruddin bin Wan Jan [Bersatu-Tasek Gelugor ], who asked for the export volume of chicken eggs and the total production volume by local companies from 2018 until the end of February 2023.

Wan Saiful also asked the government to state the reason to import eggs from India, which are more expensive and the egg size is smaller; the list of the AP holders for egg imports, the way they were chosen, and the duration that this AP is in effect.

As a short-term intervention measure to ensure sufficient supply of eggs in the country, the ministry said it has allowed the importation of Fresh White Shell Egg type from India, weighing between 50-55 grams, which can be graded as grade D in Malaysia or medium in India.

“The issue of lack of eggs supply in the local market occurs when there is a decrease in production detected from October to December 2022, where the production cannot cover the needs in the country.

“So far, only one company has been given permission based on the application and proposal received from the company,” it said.

The ministry also said Malaysians on average consume 11.6 billion eggs a year, which translates to 968 million eggs every month, while production between 2018-2022 ranges from 10.9 billion to 13.6 billion eggs.

“Therefore, this production record clearly shows that egg production is sufficient for domestic needs every year, and there is a surplus that allows Malaysia to export eggs abroad.

“Malaysia is the fifth largest egg exporting country in the world, where(in) Malaysia’s main export destinations are Singapore and Hong Kong,” the ministry said.