PETALING JAYA: With a promising rice harvest underway in Kedah, known as Malaysia’s ‘Rice Bowl,’ rice millers are optimistic about a steady supply and anticipate there will be no rice shortages in the coming months.
Hypermarket and retail chain Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said the local rice supply was sufficient and even in oversupply in the market.
He noted that previously, local rice was hard to obtain, but the government’s RM150mil subsidy to millers after March 1 has made the project more viable and ensured a sufficient supply, particularly for the B40 group over the next six months.
He suggested that allowing consumers to purchase more rice could prevent quality deterioration caused by long-term storage.
“I hope the government is proactive, as they agreed to give the subsidy for only six months.
“They (the government) should know what’s happening in the market, and if they want to continue the subsidy, they should announce it earlier to prevent hoarding and shortages later,” he said when contacted.
He also mentioned that the price of imported rice was stable due to international price stabilisation, though he suggested that government intervention might further reduce prices, decreasing the need for local subsidies.
Overall, he sees no current issues with rice supply, both local and imported, as international shortages have been mitigated, with India resuming its exports.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced an increase in the purchase limit for 10kg bags of rice, priced at RM26, from two to five bags per transaction.
This addresses current consumer demand and aids low income households.
On Feb 26, the ministry announced that from March 1 to Aug 31, a total of 2.4 million bags of 10kg subsidised local white rice, priced at RM26 per bag, will be available across Peninsular Malaysia.
This programme marks the first phase of the RM150mil targeted subsidy initiative, aimed at ensuring that local white rice remains affordable for those who need it.
As of mid-April, over 3.16 million bags have been distributed through more than 47,000 registered retail outlets nationwide, with Selangor, Kedah, Perak and Johor leading in distribution.
A store owner, who wished to be known only as Chang, said the recent supply of local rice was sufficient but the quality has decreased, causing some consumers to be unwilling to buy it.
According to a rice miller in Kedah, this season’s rice harvest is good and there is enough white rice in the market, so they are optimistic about the supply.
Another rice miller from Selangor, who also requested anonymity, said Selangor’s rice harvest increased by 15% compared to the previous season, and that last year’s extreme weather did not greatly affect the harvest in Selangor.
“Currently, the domestic supply of white rice is sufficient, and the price of imported rice is stable.
“Compared to the past three years, the production of white rice is gradually improving, which is good news for farmers and rice traders,” he added.
