PETALING JAYA: Locally grown rice will not cost more despite an expected price increase in imported rice, says the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
The ministry said it would ensure that the price of locally produced rice is always stable and under control, as stated in a letter dated June 16 regarding the maximum control price at the factory and wholesale levels.
“Through the letter, all commercial rice mill licence holders and rice wholesale licence holders are required to comply with the maximum control price,” the ministry said.
In its statement yesterday, the ministry said that the maximum control price of Super Special Local 5% rice (SST5) at the retail level is controlled at RM2.60 per kilogramme as stipulated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act.
However, the ministry said that the prices of imported rice were not controlled by the government.
“The market price of imported white rice at the retail level is mostly at RM32 and below for each 10kg pack. This is the normal market price level. It depends on the demand,” it said.
When contacted, industry players confirmed the price of imported rice is set to increase between RM1 and RM2 next month, brought about by the adverse weather and weakened ringgit.
The new retail selling price is expected to add another RM1 to RM2 per each 10kg pack of rice.
For example, they said the Jasmine Super 5 rice in 10kg packaging will have a retail price of RM31.45, while its 5kg pack will cost RM16.75.
As for the Jasmine Special Blue Import and Nagasari Beras Blue Import, they would be priced at RM29.50 for 10kg per pack and 5kg pack at RM14.75.
However, they noted that this price increase is only temporary, as rice supply is expected to stabilise when the harvest season arrives in September and lasts through December.
Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia president Hong Chee Meng said that wholesalers had been informed of the impending price increase as crops had dwindled due to the hot season.
Citing data from Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), Hong said Malaysia would need 220 tonnes of rice each month.
“We have 290 tonnes in stockpile from Bernas plus the local harvest from the various states.
“We are not worried about a rice shortage,” he said, adding that in recent years, Malaysians had lowered their demand for white rice in favour of other grains such as brown rice.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said they had also been notified by suppliers that imported rice prices would go up between RM1 and RM2 per 10kg bag.
“This will subsequently raise the retail selling price by RM1 to RM2 per 10kg bag,” he said, adding he attributed the price increase to a supply shortfall of local white rice due to the recent heatwave that jeopardised last season’s production and the ringgit depreciation.
However, he expects supply to stabilise by September.
