Debated in Parliament on 18 Feb 2025.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how is the effectiveness of the SG Fresh Produce (SGFP) logos in promoting the sales of local produce being measured since its introduction in 2020; (b) whether this initiative has achieved its goals of increasing sales of local produce; and (c) whether other schemes are being considered to help local farms better compete against imported produce.
The SG Fresh Produce (SGFP) logos aim to help consumers easily identify and support local produce. The Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA’s) survey found that the proportion of respondents who recalled seeing the SGFP logos on produce packaging and buying said local produce increased from 58% in 2022 to 75% in 2023.
We are unable to attribute the sales of local produce solely to the use of the SGFP logos as there are other measures such as promotions and publicity efforts by suppliers and retailers. We have observed growing industry acceptance of the SGFP logos. As of January 2025, 109 farmers, distributors and retailers have used the logo on produce packaging and in marketing channels, which is more than double the number since it was first launched in 2020.
SFA has been working with the industry to improve demand offtake for local produce through other initiatives. SFA launched the Farm-To-Table Recognition Programme (FTTRP) in March 2023 to encourage food businesses to procure local produce. As of January 2025, 101 food businesses have been onboarded to the programme. We have incorporated a criterion in Government procurement to give additional points to businesses which have undertaken sustainability initiatives, such as being recognised under the FTTRP. The additional points increase their chances of securing Government catering contracts.
In addition, SFA has been working closely with the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation Limited (SAFEF), as an industry-level supply and demand aggregator, to facilitate long-term commercial contracts between farmers and food businesses. Through the efforts of SAFEF and its partners, some locally grown vegetables and fish are now sold at selected FairPrice outlets under the brand names “SG Farmers’ Market” and “The Straits Fish” respectively. Public response has been encouraging. For example, the sales for xiao bai cai have increased about fivefold while sales for processed fish products such as sliced skinless marine tilapia have increased twofold since the launch in May 2024.
SFA will continue to explore initiatives to facilitate demand offtake for local produce.
PAPERCUTS