Local flour supply unaffected by India's wheat export ban

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s wheat flour supply will not be affected by India’s wheat ban following a heatwave there.

According to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Malaysia imports 80% of its wheat from Australia and the rest from the United States, Canada and Ukraine.

“Therefore, India’s wheat export ban following the heatwave is not affecting the supply of wheat flour in the country,” according to the Domestic Trade Ministry in a tweet today.

A total of 2200 Domestic Trade Ministry enforcement personnel will be monitoring the supply of subsidised and non-subsidised flour to ensure it is stable in the market.

External Trade director-general announced that India has stopped the export of wheat with immediate effect to boost its own food security in a notice dated May 13, 2022.

Wheat export to other countries will only be allowed by approval of India’s government and is based on the demand of the importing country’s government.

India exports 7 million tonnes of wheat worth about US$2 billion in 2021 and 2022, half of it was bought by Bangladesh.

Recent reports mention that the production of wheat in India this year was affected by the heatwave as well as the rising inflation they are currently facing. – Bernama, May 17, 2022