09 Jul 2025

Stronger poultry policies vital to secure Malaysia’s food security

Rising feed costs and declining chicken self-sufficiency expose Malaysia's food system to global shocks—prompting calls for policy reforms.

Jess Ramanee

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Malaysia must adopt more focused and responsive policies to strengthen food security. This is especially true for its poultry sector, as rising prices and reliance on global supply chains threaten national resilience.

Through its Agro-Food Productivity Nexus (AFPN), the Malaysia Productivity Corporation said that the country remains highly dependent on food imports, including key inputs within poultry farming.

Rising vulnerabilities in poultry production

AFPN reported that Malaysia’s chicken self-sufficiency level (SSL) fell from 100.2% in 2021 to 90.2% in 2023. While chickens are farmed locally, heavy reliance on imported feed makes the sector vulnerable to global price shocks and currency fluctuations, compromising stability and affordability.

Malaysia climbed to 23rd in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR)—its highest position since 2020. However, AFPN cautions that key agro-food indicators like price competitiveness, productivity, and innovation remain stagnant.

Reforms needed

To strengthen poultry production and overall agro-food resilience, AFPN is calling for urgent reforms, including:

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Simplifying land access for farmers;
Streamlining approval processes;
Cutting bureaucratic red tape;
Accelerating digital technology adoption across the poultry supply chain.

“Food security isn’t just about supply; it’s about long-term resilience and competitiveness,” said MPC Director-General Zahid Ismail. “Digital adoption is essential for productivity, but it must start with improving basic connectivity.”

AFPN emphasized that reform should focus on removing systemic barriers and fostering an environment where poultry farmers can thrive. Supporting both new and established producers will strengthen innovation, growth, and overall productivity.

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