PETALING JAYA: Fresh food is still in ample supply but questions have been raised about food security. Panic buying has led to empty shelves in certain sections of supermarkets, although there is enough staple food to go around.
Food production and the supply chain are operational. Vegetable production in Cameron Highlands has returned to normal after earlier obstacles in delivering produce to major markets across the country during the first week of the movement control order.
Cameron Highlands Malay Vegetable Farmers Association chairman Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Abdul Rashid said the number of wholesale market workers were reduced due to social distancing requirements.
“Wholesale markets have different timing for vegetables and crops now. There is more time to unload vegetables and other produce,” he said recently.
He added lorries have smoother passage up and down the highlands as long as they have approval letters from the police. “The demand is back to 90%, almost normal now.”
About 50 lorries carry supplies and transport about 100 tonnes of vegetables a day.
Support businesses such as packaging and fertiliser supply have also resumed operations. “During the first week, we faced a shortage of boxes.”
However, Tanah Rata assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong said there are still problems with the supply chain, particularly in wholesaling and retailing.
“Malaysia’s food production is not self-sufficient and we have to depend on imports. Our local production will remain operational at this juncture.”
The Malaysia Dry Foodstuff Importer and Exporter Association also raised concerns over food security.
It urged the government to prioritise domestic food supply and ensure there is adequate food security in the short to medium term as the Covid-19 outbreak affects global food supply chains.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Chuah Poh Khiang said the virus outbreak might cause most countries to restrict food exports.
“The top priority of the government now is to enhance food import efficiency while acting fast to formulate necessary measures to ensure domestic food supply is not interrupted.”
He made several suggestions, including identifying food items based on consumer demand for imports or local production.
“The government needs a comprehensive long-term plan to solve the problem of insufficient domestic food supply.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday, according to the Agriculture Ministry, there is enough food supply to meet the country’s needs.
“There is no need for panic buying. People do not have to worry about whether there is enough food, or if supply is adequate. There is enough,” he said at the daily press briefing after the National Security Council meeting.
He also clarified that any activity related to farming and its supply chain is allowed to operate as usual.
