Bernas cuts price of imported white rice to RM2,800 per tonne

 

In March, Bernas had revised the price of imported white rice from RM3,200 to RM3,000 per metric tonne.

PETALING JAYA: 

Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) has agreed to reduce the price of imported white rice from RM3,000 to RM2,800 per metric tonne starting Dec 1.

Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the price reduction is in line with current global market trends and the strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar.

“The government is optimistic that this initiative will help reduce the cost of living for the people by improving access to and availability of rice at lower prices,” Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said in a statement.

He said the ministry will continue to engage with all stakeholders to develop a long-term action plan for more realistic rice production cost structures so as to ensure the growth of the industry, safeguard the padi farmers’ welfare, and enhance Malaysia’s self-sufficiency ratio for rice.

In March, Bernas revised the price of imported white rice from RM3,200 to RM3,000 per metric tonne.

Mohamad had said then that the move was to ensure imported white rice could be sold between RM2 and RM3 cheaper for every 10kg bag.

In September last year, Bernas announced a price adjustment for imported white rice, to RM3,200 from the previous RM2,350.

It said the price hike was due to a challenging first half of the year, reflecting the uncertainties contributed by multiple external factors such as climate change, weakening foreign exchange rates, high operational costs, and regional conflicts.

Earlier, in July, India prohibited the export of non-basmati white rice after a late start to seasonal monsoon rains hurt the crop and raised fears of a production shortfall. - FMT