PUTRAJAYA, Nov 1 — Thailand’s move to control the export of raw sugar will not affect the supply of the commodity in Malaysia as the country’s two largest sugar manufacturing companies do not depend on supplies from that country.
The two companies are MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad (MSM) and Central Sugars Refinery Sdn Bhd (CSR).
Acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, when speaking to the media after inspecting chicken prices at Lotus Hypermarket today, said CSR and MSM obtain their raw sugar supply from sources other than Thailand.
“Hence, with that move in (Thailand), the decrease in export or an increase (in price) of raw sugar will not affect us because we do not import raw sugar from there,” he said.
Armizan was commenting on Thailand’s recent decision to start regulating domestic and exported sugar prices to control its inflation and maintain its food security.
Thailand is the second largest sugar producer in the world after Brazil, and Malaysia’s raw sugar supply has been sourced entirely from Brazil since the beginning of this year.
The minister added that Malaysia is facing a high increase in raw sugar prices globally, which has risen as much as 52 per cent compared with 2021, indirectly affecting the retail level here.
“It is understood that both these sugar-producing companies are facing a problem because, for every kilogramme of raw sugar sold at RM2.85, they actually lose 88 sen,” he said.
“Currently, we are discussing with the two companies to address this problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, Armizan admitted there is a disruption of the sugar supply in some areas, hence a purchase limit of only two packets or two kg per customer, even though the supply is sufficient nationwide.
He said supermarkets or grocery stores are making their own rules to limit purchases to ensure everyone in the community can buy sufficient sugar.
— Bernama
