PETALING JAYA: Prolonged haze could affect fruit and vegetable production, risking smaller harvests, tighter supplies and higher prices for consumers.
Vegetable Farmers Association president Lim Ser Kwee said reduced sunlight caused by smoke particles can disrupt photosynthesis, slowing crop growth and affecting the development, size and quality of produce.
He said leafy vegetables such as choy sum, spinach, lettuce and mustard greens were particularly vulnerable, while fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers could also be affected, especially during flowering and fruit development.
“Farmers may experience slower crop growth, smaller leaves and fruits, delayed maturity and potentially lower yields,” he said.
Lim cautioned that the actual impact would depend on the duration and severity of the haze, crop varieties and local weather conditions.
If production falls while demand remains steady, consumers could face higher prices, although the extent would depend on actual losses and supplies from other sources.
“If local production declines significantly, Malaysia may need to rely more on imported vegetables and fruits to meet domestic demand,” he added.
However, Lim warned that imports are not a long-term solution to food security, as transportation costs, exchange rates and disruptions in exporting countries could also affect prices.
He urged the government to provide farmers with technical advice, assistance for irrigation and protected farming infrastructure, as well as financial support if prolonged haze caused significant crop losses.
Fruit Farmers Association secretary-general Melvin Long said the impact on fruit production would depend on the crops’ growth stages, particularly during flowering, fruit setting and development stages.
He said reduced sunlight could affect photosynthesis and the accumulation of carbohydrates needed for plant growth, potentially influencing fruit size, maturity and final yields.
Crops with high light requirements such as passion fruit, guava, papaya and watermelon could be affected, although their responses would vary according to growing conditions.
Long, however, gave his assurance that not all fruit supplies would be affected or that prices would automatically rise because of haze.
He cited Department of Statistics Malaysia figures showing that the country’s self-sufficiency ratio for papaya stood at 132.3% and watermelon at 124.9% in 2025, highlighting the importance of maintaining local production.
“If local production is continuously affected by climate and environmental risks, while the market relies more on imports to fill supply gaps, consumers could face additional risks from international prices, exchange rates and transportation costs,” he said.
On the causes, both associations highlighted reduced sunlight from smoke particles as a key factor affecting crop development.
Long said similar concerns had arisen during previous haze episodes, including the severe 1997 Indonesian forest fire haze, with research examining its effects on plant physiology and crop development.
He cited studies involving trees in Kuching, Sarawak, and research into the effects of haze on the growth and productivity of giant granadilla, a type of passion fruit.
“The priority should be to strengthen local farming capacity, improve climate resilience and maintain an efficient supply chain rather than rely solely on imports when domestic production comes under pressure,” he added.
