A government report on potential effects of US-Iran tensions on Malaysia’s food security and prices is due next week, with officials examining oil price links.
KOTA BHARU: The findings of a study into how the United States-Iran conflict could affect Malaysia’s food security are expected next week.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said officials have been instructed to examine potential impacts on oil prices and food export commodities.
He expressed confidence that any effects would likely be minimal, as Malaysia’s trade with Middle Eastern nations is predominantly focused on the oil sector.
“The majority of our food imports come from ASEAN countries, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and China,” Mohamad said during an event at the Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjong.
These nations serve as Malaysia’s primary agricultural trading partners.
He stated that the ongoing tensions have not yet disrupted the country’s food supply security.
This is because most of Malaysia’s food import sources do not involve either the US or Iran directly.
“Whether any increase in oil prices will have a cascading effect on food prices, we will wait for the full report from the officials next week,” he added.
