Singaporeans in a flap at Malaysian chicken export curbs

Long queues at stalls selling a popular chicken dish, increasing prices and warnings about supply disruptions -- Singaporeans are in a flap due to curbs on poultry exports from neighbouring Malaysia. 

Malaysia's move to halt exports of 3.6 million chickens a month, which kicks in Wednesday, is the latest protectionist move in Asia aimed at tackling domestic shortages and taming surging inflation.

But the surprise step has caused consternation in Singapore, a tiny city-state that relies on its larger neighbour for a good chunk of food imports, including around a third of its chicken. 

A day before the export curbs kicked in, a long queue formed at the stall as diners sought to get a taste of the dish before a feared surge in prices. 

Some stall holders have already hiked their prices, and officials are warning about disruptions to chicken supplies. 

The city-state's food agency has advised consumers to buy only what they need, consider buying frozen instead of refrigerated chicken, or shift to different meats.

Like many other countries, Malaysia is battling rising inflation, particularly when it comes to food, which prompted it to impose the curbs. 

But Singapore -- which has had a fractious relationship with Kuala Lumpur for decades -- is also facing rising prices, with inflation at a decade-high. 

The moves come as concerns grow worldwide about food insecurity caused by supply chain snarls, climate change and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a major grain producer.