26/03/2026

THURSDAY | MAR 26, 2026

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‘Food supply stable, no need for panic buying’

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s food security remains largely stable despite ongoing global uncertainties, particularly in the supply of poultry and eggs, according to Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology associate professor Dr Abdul Rahman Saili. He said while concerns have been raised over potential disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, the country’s domestic production of chicken and eggs continues to exceed demand, providing a buffer against immediate shortages. “From the standpoint of supply, Malaysia does not face a shortage of chicken or eggs. In fact, production levels for both typically exceed 100% of domestic requirements, which means Govt steps up food security measures KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, together with relevant agencies, has stepped up preparedness efforts to safeguard the nation’s food security amid geopolitical conflict in West Asia and ongoing hot weather. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the focus would be on enhancing supply management efficiency, strengthening the agro food value chain and implementing mitigation measures to minimise the impact of external factors on the domestic market. He said uncertainties in the global landscape arising from the conflict could affect supply chains, with higher oil prices and logistics costs ultimately impacting food prices. “At the same time, the country is facing challenges posed by hot weather and climate change, which could impact agricultural productivity and domestic food production,” he said in a Facebook post. Mohamad assured that essential food supplies for this year’s Aidilfitri celebration would remain stable, sufficient and accessible at competitive prices. He said this was the result of integrated cooperation between the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, government agencies and the industry, ensuring the country’s food supply remains stable. “The Madani Government remains committed to ensuring that the country’s food supply is sufficient, stable and accessible to the people under all circumstances,” he said. Mohamad also called on all parties, including industry players, farmers, breeders and consumers, to continue playing their respective roles in strengthening the country’s food system to ensure it remains resilient and sustainable. “Insya Allah , with the readiness and cooperation of all parties, we will continue to safeguard the country’s food security for the people’s well-being,” he said. – Bernama

of food, provided consumption patterns remain controlled. “The government will have strategies in place to manage any arising issues. What is important is that consumers act responsibly.” Abdul Rahman also called on the public to be mindful of food wastage, especially during festive periods when consumption tends to increase. “This is a time when people host gatherings and open houses, but we must ensure we do not over-purchase or waste food. Buy what is necessary and practise moderation.” He reiterated that prudent consumer behaviour, coupled with strategic government intervention, will be key to maintaining stability in the country’s food ecosystem. – by Ikhwan Zulkaflee sources,” he added. He explained that conflicts affecting global energy markets, particularly petrol and gas, could have cascading effects on food logistics. “When war disrupts fuel supply, it affects transport and shipping costs globally. Over time, this will impact the movement of food into Malaysia. So while we are stable now, there are concerns moving forward if the situation persists.” Saravanan said any disruption would likely manifest first through rising costs rather than immediate shortages. “It is not that food will suddenly disappear from the market, but supply could tighten due to logistical constraints. This may lead to higher prices rather than a complete lack of availability.” He added that government measures such as maintaining the RON95 petrol price help cushion the impact, but much depends on how long global tensions continue. Addressing fear-based messaging on social media platforms that urge Malaysians to stockpile food, Saravanan issued a firm warning against such actions, stressing they could do more harm than good. “The supply is there. But when people rush to buy in bulk unnecessarily, it distorts the market. It creates pressure on the supply chain and can lead to temporary shortages that are not reflective of actual production levels.” Saravanan pointed out that such behaviour disproportionately affects lower-income groups, particularly the B40 segment. “If those in the T20 or M40 categories stockpile excessively, they are effectively taking away access from the B40 group. This creates inequality in access to essential goods and puts vulnerable communities at risk.” He stressed that consumer discipline is critical to ensure supply remains accessible. Currently, he said Malaysia is in a relatively strong position, with sufficient supply of key food items. “We are not facing shortages of chicken, eggs or vegetables. Supply is adequate and there are monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure continuity,” he said. Saravanan added that authorities are actively tracking supply levels and can intervene when necessary. “The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has systems to monitor availability. “If there are gaps, the government can step in through imports and other balancing measures.”

o Deputy minister assures adequate supply as experts warn stockpiling could disrupt market and drive up prices

He said while concerns over a potential conflict involving Iran and the US have sparked anxiety online, the country’s current food ecosystem is functioning well and should not be disrupted by irrational consumer behaviour. “At this point in time, our food supply is still very stable. I would say we are secure at least until May under the current conditions,” he said when contacted. However, Saravanan cautioned that Malaysia’s heavy reliance on imported food means prolonged geopolitical tensions could eventually strain supply chains. “We are a country that is heavily dependent on imports. Our food import bill has consistently ranged between RM70 billion and RM80 billion annually. That means we are spending tens of billions of ringgit every year to secure food from external

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

from panic buying, warning that such behaviour could disrupt supply chains and trigger unnecessary price increases. “It is best to avoid panic buying as it will disrupt supply and prices,” she said, calling on consumers to remain calm and purchase only what is necessary. Meanwhile, her statement was supported by Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan, who warned consumers not to undermine this stability through panic-driven buying and stockpiling.

PETALING JAYA: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh has assured that the country’s food supply remains sufficient amid growing public concern over global uncertainties. She said there is no cause for alarm at this stage, stressing that essential goods are adequately available in the market. “God willing, supply is sufficient,” she said in a WhatsApp reply to theSun . Fuziah urged the public to refrain

Saravanan cautioned that Malaysia’s heavy reliance on imported food means prolonged geopolitical tensions could eventually strain supply chains. – AMI R UL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Stable supply of chicken, eggs despite global uncertainty

“It is important to understand that even in times of crisis, the issue is more likely to be about affordability rather than availability. We are not looking at a scenario where food is completely inaccessible, but rather one where prices may rise.” Addressing public anxiety and the spread of fear-driven narratives on social media, Abdul Rahman urged Malaysians to remain calm and avoid panic buying. “I think as consumers, we must be responsible in our behaviour. There is no need to spread fear or engage in excessive stockpiling. Such actions can worsen the situation by creating artificial shortages and driving up demand unnecessarily.” He said Malaysia’s continuous production cycle ensures a steady supply

of chicken or eggs, but they will likely impact production costs. This, in turn, could influence market prices.” On price stability, Abdul Rahman said the government has historically played a key role in cushioning consumers from price volatility through subsidies and price controls. “In most cases, the government steps in to stabilise prices, particularly for essential food items like chicken. However, if input costs rise sharply and persist over time, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain such interventions.” He stressed that while price increases are a possible outcome of prolonged supply chain disruptions, the likelihood of Malaysia facing a severe food shortage remains low.

we are operating at a sufficient level,” he told theSun . However, Abdul Rahman cautioned Malaysia remains vulnerable in terms of input dependency, particularly in sourcing feed for poultry. “The real concern lies not in the output, but in the inputs. We rely heavily on imported feed such as corn and soybean, sourced from countries like Brazil, Argentina and the United States. Any disruption in global trade routes or geopolitical instability could indirectly affect our poultry industry,” he said. He added tensions in regions such as the Middle East, including Iran, could disrupt global supply chains, leading to higher costs or delays in feed imports. “Should such disruptions occur, they may not immediately lead to shortages