Govt tightens imports of vegetables from China

The government has tightened controls on importing vegetables, especially from China, to prevent an influx of cheap produce that would affect local producers.

Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said there had been greater price competitiveness as vegetables from China could be sold at much lower prices than local produce.

This would affect the sales and income of local growers, he told the Dewan Rakyat.

The minister was responding to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who had asked about efforts to reduce dependence on imported food items, the value of which exceeded RM90 billion in 2025.

Mohamad said the government needed to ensure that local producers have a sufficient market share, which he said was crucial to attracting younger Malaysians to venture into agriculture.

To this end, he said the federal government was working with various state governments to provide land for young farmers, which would boost domestic food production.