Government study finds fruit and vegetable losses could hit 50% due to unpredictable weather, raising food supply concerns
PETALING JAYA: A government study has found that up to half of Malaysia’s fruit and vegetable crops could be lost at the farm level under unpredictable weather, highlighting the fragile state of the country’s food supply.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry told theSun that the findings were based on a Food Loss Index study conducted by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) to measure food loss levels nationwide.
“Post-harvest losses at the on-farm production stage for the fruits and vegetables sector are estimated at around 14% under normal weather conditions and can rise to as much as 50% if harvesting occurs during the rainy season or under unpredictable weather conditions,” the ministry said in a statement.
On March 24, Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the government was stepping up preparedness measures to safeguard national food security amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the hot weather conditions.
“The efforts include improving supply management efficiency, strengthening the agro-food value chain and implementing mitigation measures, with close coordination between ministries and industry players to ensure continued availability of essential food supplies.”
The ministry said the study focused on selected commodities such as pineapple, watermelon and mustard greens, highlighting the vulnerability of perishable produce to environmental conditions at the farm level.
“The initiative forms part of efforts to develop a structured indicator to better quantify food loss across the country’s agri-food system, particularly at the production stage,” the ministry added.
Meanwhile, Mardi is conducting a follow-up study at the off-farm level to assess losses across the supply chain.
“A follow-up study at the off-farm supply chain level, covering processes such as collection, packaging and distribution, is being carried out by Mardi and is expected to be completed in April.
“The study will later expand to include all agri-food commodity groups, including livestock and fisheries, to develop a comprehensive Food Loss Index for the sector.”
The findings underscore how food losses can occur early in the supply chain, before produce reaches wholesale, retail or consumers.
Weather instability has increasingly affected agricultural output.
Last week, the Health Ministry reported that several areas across Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang and Perlis were under a Level 1 heat alert, with parts of Kedah escalating to Level 2, where temperatures exceeded 37°C and could reach up to 40°C after several consecutive days of heat.
