SHAH ALAM, May 14 — The government expects food prices to rise in the second half of the year due to delivery, fertiliser and feed cost hikes amid the global energy crisis, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said global food price hikes are pressuring the national food supply chain, including the livestock and fisheries sector.
According to him, among the main concerns are rising prices for grain and soy, which are essential ingredients in chicken feed, reported Kosmo!.
“We expect there to be price changes and the government will closely monitor the current situation,” Mohamad told a press conference on Wednesday.
He added that Malaysia still depends on grain imports from Brazil and Argentina, while rice is imported from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
He explained that while there has been no delivery disruptions so far, oil price hikes would affect logistics and agriculture goods costs, including fertiliser and urea.
“When there is an energy crisis, all related costs would be affected, too,” Mohamad said.
