Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia made its inaugural export of live chickens to Singapore on Saturday, with a total of 23,040 chickens or 41.46 tons, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Surya Pratomo.
He said this export is evidence of increased trade cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore.
"The export is also a concrete follow-up to the second meeting between the two heads of state in May 2023 in Singapore," said Pratomo in a written statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.
Previously, Indonesia has been exporting frozen chicken and processed chicken products to Singapore since June of last year.
According to Pratomo, the inaugural export was carried out by poultry producer PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia from their facility on Bintan Island.
He mentioned that live chickens from Indonesia are declared free from avian flu virus, allowing them to be directly shipped to Singapore.
He added that Indonesia continues to strive to be a chicken supplier to Singapore, as the demand for chicken in Singapore increases each year.
Indonesian Trade Attaché in Singapore Billy Anugrah stated that in 2022, Singapore is estimated to import 228,000 tons of live chickens, processed chickens, and chicken products.
The largest suppliers of chicken to the country are Brazil (51 percent), Malaysia (24 percent), and the United States (11 percent).
According to Anugrah, access to the Singaporean market for live chickens from Indonesia has been initiated since last year.
"This is a form of regional cooperation and good synergy that is mutually beneficial and can support regional food security," he said.
The Singaporean government has provided certification to several chicken producers and chicken product manufacturers in Indonesia to export to Singapore since June 2022.
This step was taken as Singapore experienced a shortage of chicken supply after Malaysia temporarily halted its export of live chickens.
Indonesia produced over 3.8 million tons of chicken products in 2022 and often faces an oversupply, according to Anugrah.
The opening of the Singaporean market for live chickens is expected to create a balance in production and supply, as well as improve the welfare of farmers in Indonesia.
Related news: No significant increase in poultry deaths in Riau: Ministry
Related news: Minister meets with breeders to increase price of chicken meat
