Putrajaya, October 8, 2024 – The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has assured the public that the supply of turkey meat in Malaysia will remain stable during the upcoming festive season. This clarification follows a news report by The Star on October 4 titled Turkey shortage ruffles feathers.
DVS revealed that local turkey production in 2023 reached 10,010 birds from 145 farms nationwide, yielding 50,050 kg of turkey meat. The main producing states include Penang, Johor, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang.
The department stated that no outbreaks of turkey-related diseases have been reported, and local supply is expected to remain stable.
Additionally, DVS is working to ensure sufficient turkey supply through imports to meet the high demand during the Christmas season.
To bolster supply, DVS has also approved imports from several other countries, including Brazil, the United States, China, and Germany. However, imports from Russia and the United States are still undergoing risk assessments for disease control purposes.
DVS addressed claims made in The Star regarding import permits, clarifying that there is no need for an Approved Permit (AP) for beef and buffalo imports since 2016, and that temporary import restrictions on U.S. poultry, including turkey, remain due to ongoing concerns over Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The department remains committed to ensuring that the country’s livestock food supply is safe, high-quality, and adequate for public consumption during the festive season.
