In an effort to maintain food security and moderate prices Singapore is looking to increase the volume of vegetables it imports from Indonesia.
The country’s national development minister Khaw Boon Wan said vegetable imports from China had increased in recent years at the expense of produce from traditional suppliers such as Indonesia and Australia.
According to figures from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, China supplied 29 per cent of the vegetables sold in Singapore last year - an increase of 8 per cent on its 2002 market share.
Indonesia on the other hand has seen the total volume of vegetables it exports to Singapore fall from 32,000 tonnes in 2002 to 21,000 tonnes last year – a 34 per cent decrease.
One of the main reasons for the increasing dominance of Chinese produce was price, said Khaw, pointing out Chinese potatoes were as much as S$0.65 (US$0.48) per kg cheaper than those imported from Indonesia.
Khaw said it was important Singapore sourced fresh produce from a range of different countries to ensure reliable supply. Consumers would also benefit, he added, with increased competition offering more choice and lower prices.
The Singaporean government was working through the Indonesia-Singapore Agribusiness Working Group to investigate practical initiatives to increase imports, said Khaw.
These could involve improving logistics by addressing bottlenecks and establishing trade routes and facilities in key producing regions and sharing information on consumer preferences with growers and exporters in Indonesia.
Malaysia remains Singapore’s largest supplier providing 43 per cent of the country’s vegetables.
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