Open up more agricultural land, says rice association

SIBU Rice Wholesalers Association has called on the Federal Government to allocate more land for agricultural development to reduce dependence on food imports.

This comes following the increase in the price of imported white rice.

Association chairman Datuk Wong Kie Sing said rice was the staple food of the people.

“We do not want to see any price increase or supply shortage.

“For a long time, our country’s production of white rice has not been enough to supply and sustain itself, so we must rely on imported white rice from other countries.”

Speaking at a press conference, Wong said the price of white rice had increased significantly from Sept 1.

“Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), which is the national rice company, announced that the price of imported white rice will increase from RM2,350 per tonne to RM3,200 effective Sept 1. Imported white rice (5% broken) priced at RM27 has now increased to RM37.”

Wong added that there was no change in the price of locally grown white rice.

“For every tonne of white rice, the wholesale price starts at RM850, which means that the retail price for a 10kg bag of imported rice is expected to cost RM36 to RM40, up from the previous price of RM25 to RM35.”

The price increase, he said, was because Vietnam and India, the world’s second and third largest rice exporters, had significantly reduced rice exports, affecting global rice supply by one-third.

“As several Asian countries reduced rice exports, quotations of Thai rice, the benchmark for global rice prices, rose by more than 30%, reaching a 20-year high. The sharp rise in prices in Thailand is undoubtedly another heavy blow to global food prices,” he added.

Due to external factors such as climate change, weak exchange rates, rising operating costs, regional conflicts, and India’s recent ban on the export of non-basmati white rice, Wong said transactions in the global market had been affected.

“It is inevitable for Bernas to adjust the price of imported white rice after taking into account operational necessity and stability,” he added.

On Sept 1, Bernas announced a 36% increase in the price of imported white rice.

Following this, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said it would hold a meeting with Bernas and padi farmers on Sept 7 to discuss the country’s local rice supply.