SINGAPORE : From Monday, Malaysia will cut the export of live ducks to Singapore by up to 30 percent.

The move is expected to drive duck import prices up by 20 cents per kilogramme and could send retail prices up.

The reduction in exports comes as a result of decreasing supply of parent stock or ducklings from Britain to Malaysia.

Industry watchers say most of Malaysia's parent stock is from Britain.

Malaysia has yet to lift its ban on duckling imports since a farm in Britain had an outbreak of bird flu four months ago.

The four duck farms in Singapore import some 18,000 live ducks from across the Causeway daily.

The Poultry Merchants Association of Singapore says the disruption in supply is unlikely to cause a shortage, as demand for live ducks is typically low during this period.

Still, consumers could end up paying more for live ducks.

But they are expected to be cheaper compared to frozen ducks from Australia and the United States. - CNA/de