By KHOO GEK SAN and TEH ATHIRA YUSOF

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian consumers are now choosing rice based on brand and taste rather than price, as the retail price of imported white rice (Beras Putih Import, BPI) is not much higher than local white rice (Beras Putih Tempatan, BPT), says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said engagement sessions held with farmers, millers and wholesalers found that the recent price adjustment had narrowed the gap between imported and local rice.

“As a result of the BPI price adjustment at Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) warehouses from RM2,800 to RM2,600 per tonne effective May 15, 2025, the retail price of imported rice has dropped by between RM1 and RM2 per 10kg bag,” he said in a written reply to Nurul Amin Hamid (PN–Padang Terap) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 30).

He said the findings showed that consumers were not significantly influenced by the RM26 price tag for a 10kg bag of rice, as brand preference and taste remained the main deciding factors.

The minister said the Special Subsidised Local White Rice (BPT) Programme 2025, which began on March 1 and ended on Aug 31 this year, was part of the government’s effort to better target subsidies and to serve as a transition measure in Malaysia’s rice supply management.

“The programme allowed the ministry to conduct a market assessment and address several issues identified during its implementation. The results of this assessment will be used to refine future rice supply policies and strategies,” he said.

Mat Sabu said demand for local white rice during the six-month programme reached about 75% of the targeted 24 million 10kg bags, indicating that consumers still preferred reasonably priced rice over specific subsidised products.

Based on these findings, he said the ministry would soon propose a comprehensive plan for the country’s white rice supply, taking into account production costs, controlled local white rice prices, market trends, quality standards and the need to prevent rice mixing practices.

“These proposals aim to create a long-term and balanced solution for the paddy and rice industry,” he said.

Published Date: October 30, 2025