The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has published its inaugural Singapore Food Statistics (SgFS) covering data from 2019-2021. The SgFS serves as a one-stop comprehensive resource for key statistics for the agri-food sector in Singapore.
Key Highlights from 2019 to 2021
Safeguarding Singapore’s Food Security
With more than 90% of Singapore’s food imported, a key strategy to enhancing food security is import source diversification. Singapore currently imports its food sources from over 170 countries and regions, which has strengthened our food resilience, especially in the face of global supply disruptions and climate change.
Strengthening Singapore’s Food Resiliency: Local Production
Given Singapore’s heavy reliance on imported food, local farms play an important role in the nation’s food security. Local production serves as a buffer by reducing dependence on imports during supply disruptions. SFA is committed to the “30 by 30” goal, to build our capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30% of the nation’s nutritional needs locally by 2030. This is done through various avenues such as co-funding support, facilitating long-term investments to increase production and encouraging demand for local produce.
There was a healthy growth in the number of local farms, which increased from 221 in 2019 to 260 in 2021. The local agri-food sector is predominantly made up of farms producing hen shell eggs, vegetables, and seafood; contributed 30%, 4% and 8% to Singapore’s total food consumption respectively in 2021. The total value of local production of these food items increased 13%, from $163.4 million to $185.2 million from 2020 to 2021. SFA will continue to support local farms to improve productivity, while ensuring local production remains climate resilient and resource-efficient.
Adopting A Risk-Based Approach: Food Safety in Singapore
SFA has in place a regulatory regime that takes a science-based risk management approach and considers joint responsibility in food safety assurance. Singapore has less than 26 foodborne illness cases related to foodborne outbreaks per 100,000 population annually over the previous 3 years. SFA, together with industry stakeholders and consumers, will continue to work together to build a sustainable and safe food ecosystem for all Singaporeans.
Singapore faces space and resource constraints and is vulnerable to global trends that impact food supply and safety. These include the growing complexity of food systems, climate change, urbanisation and the evolution of new business models and food products. SFA constantly reviews our plans to ensure and secure the supply of safe food for Singapore.
SgFS is available for download from SFA’s website at www.sfa.gov.sg/publications/sgfs.
