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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia now net chicken importer again as supply fails to meet demand
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has once again become a net importer of chicken, with domestic production no longer able to meet local demand, a concerning shift after achieving full self-sufficiency in 2021. The development was revealed by the Agro-Food Productivity Nexus (AFPN), which expressed concern over the nation's food supply security, despite Malaysia's overall improvement in global competitiveness rankings. According to highlighted data, the Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) for chicken dropped to 90.2 per cent in 2023, a significant decline from the 100.2 per cent recorded in 2021, indicating that the country is now reliant on external sources to meet domestic demand. While Malaysia has made gains in the World Competitiveness Ranking, key indicators for the agro-food sector, such as price competitiveness, productivity and innovation, remain sluggish and underwhelming. AFPN said that the issue goes beyond the number of chickens farmed and involves the entire supply chain. Although chickens are reared locally, the sector remains heavily dependent on imported animal feed. This dependence leaves the country's poultry industry highly vulnerable to global shocks such as wars, pandemics, and currency exchange fluctuations that could suddenly inflate production costs. Commenting on the issue, Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) director-general Datuk Zahid Ismail said food security is not solely about supply, but also about long-term resilience and competitiveness. "We must remove systemic barriers, open pathways for innovation, and create an ecosystem that enables farmers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national productivity," he said. In response, AFPN called for more targeted and responsive policies to strengthen food security. Among the proposed measures are easing entry for new farmers, supporting the expansion of existing operations through better land access, restructuring of approval processes, and reducing bureaucratic red tape. It also emphasised the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of digital technology in agriculture. However, Zahid cautioned that efforts are being hindered by inadequate internet connectivity in rural areas. "Digital adoption is a key driver of agro-food productivity, but connectivity must come first. Immediate, targeted investment in rural digital infrastructure is vital so that no farmer is left behind as the nation moves towards smart agriculture," he added. As such, AFPN is urging the government to fast-track the sector's modernisation through investments in smart farming, empowering young agropreneurs, and fostering strong public-private partnerships to build a more secure and resilient national food system.


The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
More targeted policies needed to beef up national food security, says AFPN
Dependence on imports is for some foods including vegetables and fruits. Malaysia still needs to import food commodities such as vegetables and fruits from temperate climates, This is because these commodities are not economical to produce in Malaysia because the price will be higher than imports in addition to the country's unfavorable weather factors and it is affected by the demand of the local market. . — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Policies that are more focused and responsive need to be formulated to strengthen national food security, in light of concerns over rising food prices and the country's high dependence on global supply chains. Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) through the Agro-Food Productivity Nexus (AFPN) said currently, Malaysia still relied heavily on food imports, including in the poultry farming industry. "For example, the Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) for chicken dropped to 90.2 per cent in 2023 compared to 100.2 per cent in 2021, indicating growing reliance on external sources. "Although chickens are farmed locally, the import dependency for animal feed remains high, making the sector vulnerable to global shocks and exchange rate fluctuations,' AFPN said in a statement issued by MPC on Tuesday (July 1). AFPN also said that although Malaysia recorded an improvement in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025, the agro-food sector's performance indicators, such as price competitiveness, productivity and innovation, remain slow and lacklustre. AFPN stressed the need for proactive and contextual policy reforms. These include facilitating the entry of new farmers, supporting the expansion of existing farmers through easier land access, restructuring approval processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape and accelerating digital technology adoption in the agro-food sector. MPC director-general Datuk Zahid Ismail was quoted in the statement as saying that Malaysia must remove systemic barriers, open up space for innovation and create an ecosystem that enables farmers to grow and contribute meaningfully to national productivity. "Food security is not just about supply; it is closely tied to resilience and long-term competitiveness. Digital adoption is a key driver of agro-food productivity, but connectivity must be prioritised first,' he said. On June 17, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) announced that Malaysia has risen 11 places in the WCR 2025, moving to 23rd place out of 69 economies, its best ranking since 2020.- Bernama

Barnama
30-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Pharma Industry Emerging As Driver Of Investments, Jobs, And Healthcare Resilience -- MPC
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry is emerging as a driver of high-value investment, skilled employment, and healthcare resilience, driven by regulatory and productivity reforms implemented in recent years, according to the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). MPC said these efforts have also supported Malaysia's climb to 23rd place in the 2025 International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking, the country's highest position in over a decade. 'Under the MPC, the Pharmaceutical Productivity Nexus (PPN) has driven structural changes that translate directly into economic value by streamlining product registration processes, aligning technical requirements across agencies, and reducing regulatory bottlenecks,' it said in a statement today. According to the MPC, two new pharmaceutical facilities have progressed to the development stage, unlocking investments and creating skilled employment opportunities, while two additional facilities are moving forward more rapidly under the streamlined processes. MPC director general Datuk Zahid Ismail said the sector's transformation provides a blueprint for national economic renewal. 'Every bottleneck removed is an opportunity unlocked, whether it's faster factory approvals, increased export readiness, or local production of critical medicines,' he added. The president of the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) and PPN representative, Ch'ng Kien Peng, said the pharmaceutical sector's gains reflect what is possible when productivity reforms are targeted, data-driven, and collaborative. 'These wins go beyond industry metrics. They mean better access to affordable medicines, more quality jobs for Malaysians, and increased resilience in our healthcare supply chain,' he said. The MPC also stated that the sector's progress aligns with the objectives of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap by supporting economic growth and localised production of essential medicines while integrating environmental sustainability practices in facility operations. It added that continued investment in automation, digitalisation, and skills development by industry players will help sustain these gains, while support from the government in advancing mutual recognition agreements and inter-agency frameworks remains important to maintain momentum in the sector. --BERNAMA

Barnama
05-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) And BIMP–EAGA Business Council (BEBC) Formalise Strategic Partnership To Boost Logistics Productivity
MIRI, June 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and BIMP–EAGA Business Council (BEBC) have officially signed a Letter of Collaboration, marking a pivotal step toward enhancing productivity and efficiency in the logistics sector. The partnership focuses on strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity between Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei. The collaboration signing ceremony was held in Miri, Sarawak, with YBhg. Datuk Zahid Ismail, Director General of MPC, and YBhg. Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Haris Pg Haji Duraman, Chairman of BEBC, representing their respective organisations. Both parties share a unified vision to future-proof the logistics industry by implementing targeted programmes that address key challenges and streamline operations to reduce costs. Representing BEBC Brunei as Country Directors, Thomas Koh and Haji Alimen Haji Jaafar were present to witness the signing demonstrating BEBC Brunei's active and direct involvement in driving cross-border connectivity efforts among Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak under the BIMP-EAGA framework.