KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that Malaysia’s national physical rice stockpile, as of February 27, stands at 881,554 metric tonnes. In response to a parliamentary inquiry by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob, Mohamad assured that this quantity, inclusive of the rice buffer stock, is adequate for approximately 4.41 months of national consumption.
Breaking down the figures, Mohamad specified that factory, wholesale, and retail rice stock account for 591,554 metric tonnes, while imported rice stands at 32,627 metric tonnes. Additionally, paddy and local rice contribute 107,540 metric tonnes, with an additional 290,000 metric tonnes allocated to the buffer stock.
This reassurance comes amid concerns raised by global market fluctuations, particularly the surge in the price of imported white rice due to export bans imposed by major rice-producing countries like India. Mohamad reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring sufficient rice supply, highlighting ongoing efforts to monitor and address any potential shortages in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
