Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar told reporters at a breaking of fast with local media, Tuesday, that the supply of beef and buffalo meat was expected to increase by 27 per cent over other months.

"There will be an increase from 16,348 tonnes to 21,942 tonnes, whereby 16,676 tonnes are imported and the rest are local meat.

"Lamb and mutton supply will also increase by 10 per cent, which is 2,361 tonnes compared to 2,147 tonnes during normal months. Supply of chicken is also expected to increase by 1.65 per cent during the festive season," he said.

Noh said the government had made preparation in case of a shortage for Hari Raya by issuing permits to 29 companies to import 2,650 tonnes of whole chickens.

However, according to Bernama, should the companies fail to import the chickens required, Noh assured that the Livestock and Poultry Farmers' Association was ready to cater to the demand.

"We work closely with the association. Last year, 19 companies were given permits but only one managed to import the chickens. Even so, there was no shortage," he said.

Egg supply will increase by 14 per cent compared to normal, with an extra 3.62 million eggs supplied.