MALAYSIA is targeting to reduce rice imports by 2027, with local production expected to grow by 3% annually to reach 1.5 million tonnes, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Data showed that the import ratio for rice having increased slightly from 0.78 to 1 in 2023 to 0.89 to 1 last year.
He said the move to lower rice imports is part of the ministry’s broader plan to reduce dependence on imported food supplies over the next three years.
“For beef and buffalo meat, the target import-to-domestic production ratio is 4.7 to 1 metric tonnes, while for chicken, it is 0.13 to 1.
“For eggs, we aim to maintain full self-sufficiency, and for vegetables, the ratio is expected to narrow to 1.64 to 1,” he said in a written reply to Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN–Bagan Serai).
Mohamad said the ministry remains focused on boosting local output through the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021–2025 and the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030.
“These initiatives are designed to strengthen the country’s self-sufficiency in the medium to long term and ensure sustainable food security,” he added.
He pointed out that for 2023 and 2024, Malaysia had recorded gradual improvements in food production.
For example, the import ratio for beef and buffalo meat improved from 5.3 to 1 in 2023 to 5.0 to 1 last year.
Eggs achieved full self-sufficiency, with the import ratio reduced to zero last year.
Vegetable imports also showed a slight improvement, narrowing from 1.8 to 1 in 2023 to 1.76 to 1 in 2024.
