Malaysia’s improving food security position remains vulnerable to external shocks as the country continues to rely heavily on imported food and agricultural inputs, a new research report has warned.
MBSB Research said geopolitical conflicts, climate change, extreme weather, export restrictions and currency volatility could disrupt food supplies and push up prices through higher costs of energy, fertiliser, animal feed, freight and packaging.
The report noted that Malaysia’s food and beverage imports rose from about RM42 billion in 2014 to more than RM100 billion in 2025, exposing the country to international supply and price pressures.
Rice remains a major vulnerability, with Malaysia producing only about 52.9 per cent of its domestic requirement in 2024 and importing roughly 1.5 million to 1.6 million tonnes annually. The country is also heavily dependent on imports of beef, mutton, selected vegetables and animal-feed ingredients.
The researchers said strengthening domestic agricultural production, improving technology, climate resilience, storage and cold-chain infrastructure, while diversifying import sources, would help reduce exposure to external disruptions.
