By KHOO GEK SAN and RAHIMY RAHIM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is targeting to reduce rice imports by 2027, with local production expected to grow by 3% annually to reach 1.5 million tonnes, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the move is part of the ministry’s broader plan to reduce dependence on imported food supplies over the next three years.

“For beef and buffalo meat, the target import-to-domestic production ratio is 4.7 to 1 metric tonnes, while for chicken, it is 0.13 to 1. For eggs, we aim to maintain full self-sufficiency, and for vegetables, the ratio is expected to narrow to 1.64 to 1,” he said in a written reply to Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN–Bagan Serai) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 11).

Mohamad said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry remains focused on boosting local output through the National Food Security Policy Action Plan (PTDSMN) 2021–2025 and the National Agrofood Policy (DAN 2.0) 2021–2030.

“These initiatives are designed to strengthen the country’s self-sufficiency in the medium to long term and ensure sustainable food security,” he said.

For 2023 and 2024, Malaysia recorded gradual improvements in food production, he added.

The import ratio for rice increased slightly from 0.78 to 1 in 2023 to 0.89 to 1 in 2024, while for beef and buffalo meat, it improved from 5.3 to 1 in 2023 to 5.0 to 1 in 2024.

The ratio for chicken dropped from 0.15 to 1 to 0.12 to 1, while eggs achieved full self-sufficiency, with the import ratio reduced to zero in 2024.

Vegetable imports also showed a slight improvement, narrowing from 1.8 to 1 in 2023 to 1.76 to 1 in 2024.

Mohamad said efforts to boost productivity, modernise agrofood value chains and attract private investment in key subsectors will continue to support these targets.

Published Date: November 11, 2025