Singapore - Frozen ducks from Taiwan are getting rave reviews from Singaporeans claiming they are cheaper, plumper and tastier, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The birds made their debut in April as part of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA's) efforts to diversify food sources in case of unpredictable crisis.

"I tried them out because I was looking for another supplier other than Malaysia, and they were plumper and the meat was juicier," The Straits Times quoted roast duck seller Henry Tan as saying.

Pin Corporation, an importer of frozen ducks, has stopped purchasing them from the United States, previously its main supplier, the report said. It now buys the cheaper Taiwan frozen ducks.

Managing director Liew Yew Fah said the ducks are juicier because they are given more time to fatten up before they come to market.

The outbreak of bird flu prompted Singapore to close its doors in 2004 to Malaysian poultry. At that time, every roast duck sold in the city-state was a Malaysian bird.

The ban was subsequently lifted.

"It is always good to diversify because if one source is down due to factors like a disease outbreak we can always look to another source," said AVA spokesman Goh Shih Yong. (dpa)