The agriculture and food security ministry is conducting an in-depth study on the lack of marketability for local rice.
Its minister, Mohamad Sabu, said the issue stems from local rice being priced too closely to imported varieties, Bernama reported.
“This is because our local rice, priced at RM26 for 10kg, is selling poorly,” he was quoted as saying after an event in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, today.
“When imported rice is available at a price not much different from the local price, local rice is left behind. So, we have to launch a campaign now to buy local rice.”
On the termination of the egg subsidy on Aug 1, Mohamad said prices remain under control.
“So far, the price is under control … when it comes to food, we can’t brag and say everything is over, but we can only say we are relieved.”
The government had announced that the subsidy would be reduced from 10 sen to five sen per egg on May 1 before being fully removed on Aug 1. The restructuring is intended to target aid to those who truly need it.
