Malaysia’s Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Wednesday food prices are expected to keep rising in the second half of 2026 because the global energy crisis is pushing up shipping, fertiliser and animal feed costs. He spoke after the launch of Agro Penjaja-i at Wisma Tani in Putrajaya. [1, 2, 3]
Mohamad said the government has already begun preliminary steps to curb the expected increases. He said Malaysia still has no disruption in basic food supplies and that rice stocks are sufficient until the end of the year. [1, 2, 3]
He said global oil price increases are feeding through to logistics and farm input costs, especially fertilisers. Mohamad added that Malaysia depends on grain imports from Brazil and Argentina for animal feed, and on rice imports from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. [1, 2, 3]
“We cannot afford to be complacent, especially with the rising costs of poultry feed ingredients such as grain corn and soya,” Mohamad said. He also said, “There is no disruption in supply, but when oil prices rise, shipping costs inevitably follow. The same applies to fertilisers; when an energy crisis occurs, it affects the entire chain.” [2]
The ministry is prioritising aquaculture to help ensure fish production can cover protein needs over the next 3 to 4 months if marine landings fall. It also said the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority is dealing with a vegetable oversupply in Cameron Highlands to reduce losses for farmers. [1, 2, 3]
The minister’s warning comes as the government braces for higher food costs in the second half of the year, while saying supplies of key staples remain stable for now. [1, 2, 3]
