In Singapore, the local production of vegetables and seafood continued to fall in 2024, while egg yields grew, according to a report released by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Thursday, June 5. Vegetable production fell by about 3 percent.
There are a number of factors that led to the decrease in local production of vegetables, SFA said on Friday in response to CNA queries. First, the local produce needed to compete against lower-priced imports, given Singapore's strong overall exchange rates, it said. Next, local vegetable farmers also faced production issues given delays in construction, rising electricity costs and financing costs, SFA added.
"Despite these headwinds, there is an overall increase in productivity for vegetables, from 227.2 tonnes per hectare per year in 2023 to 231.4 tonnes per hectare per year in 2024," said the agency.
Singapore relies on imports for over 90 per cent of its food supply, highlighting the need to diversify its sources, said SFA. In 2024, Singapore expanded its food supply sources to 187 countries and regions, an increase from 140 about two decades ago.
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