PETALING JAYA: Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) has stated that Malaysia has an abundant supply of local white rice, addressing concerns about shortages. From January to August, Bernas has channeled 630,000 tonnes of local white rice, which is a 38% increase compared to the average monthly supply over the past five years.
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The statement from Bernas on Thursday (Sept 28) emphasized that there is more than enough supply without the need to tap into the government’s buffer stocks. The demand for local white rice has been rising due to its lower price compared to imported rice.
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The increase in demand has been observed at the consumer, supplier, and food industry player levels.
Bernas, as the “buyer of last resort,” holds an average local rice market share of around 10%, while the majority is handled by private producers.
Furthermore, Bernas reassured its commitment to and support for all intervention programs introduced by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to ensure a sufficient supply of local rice.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
