Food & agriculture — Topics

5 Jul 2022

Threshold for Price Increases on Food Items before Government Intervention

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked whether the Ministry has a specific threshold for cost increases on food items before considering government intervention to stabilize prices.
Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that global supply disruptions from the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have led to significant price rises, but direct price controls could cause shortages.
The government uses three measures to mitigate impacts: a strong Singapore dollar to moderate inflation, diversification of food sources to reduce exposure to regional disruptions, and support packages for lower-income Singaporeans.
Singapore's food inflation has been more moderate than global levels, with a 4.5% increase in May 2022 compared to the FAO index's 22.8% rise.
The government will monitor the situation and encourages consumers to use the Price Kaki app to compare prices and stretch their dollars.

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4 Jul 2022

Existing Number of Vertical Farms Built and Expected Number in Operation by 2030

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the current number of vertical farms in Singapore and the expected number to be operating by 2030.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) does not specifically track vertical farms as it licenses farms based on farming activity, not the type of system used.
There are approximately 260 food farms in Singapore, with many adopting innovative and sustainable technologies, and a pipeline of farms developing urban food solutions.

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4 Jul 2022

Level of Stockpile Across Key Food Items in Government's Inventory

The Government works with industry partners to maintain adequate stockpiles of essential food items, such as the Rice Stockpile Scheme requiring importers to hold inventory buffers, to ensure supply stability during disruptions.
Since COVID-19 in 2020, the Government has expanded and built up food stockpiles to higher levels, with target amounts periodically reassessed to address risks in an uncertain environment.
As part of Singapore’s multi-pronged strategy for food resilience, the Government will continue to diversify import sources and strengthen local food production capabilities.

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4 Jul 2022

Appeal to Delay Introduction of Sea Space Leases to Give Smaller Fish Farms Time to Review Business Models

Dennis Tan asked if the government would delay introducing sea space leases to give smaller fish farms time to review their business models.
The Ministry explained that sea space leases are being introduced to provide farms with longer tenures for sustainable technology investment and better financing access.
A ten-year transition period is already in place, allowing farms to continue under Temporary Occupation Licences with phased fee increases and waived fees for 2023.

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4 Jul 2022

Update on MUIS' Investigation into Australian Abattoir's Products for Compliance with Halal Certification Requirements

MUIS uses a recognition scheme to ensure foreign halal certifiers meet Singapore's standards and has been coordinating with local and foreign authorities on the investigation into Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL).
Investigations confirmed TFIL complied with Australian food safety regulations, but the halal certifier acknowledged lapses in halal slaughtering protocols as reported in the media.
Following the confirmation of compromised halal integrity, MUIS instructed all certified establishments to immediately cease using TFIL meat products from 30 May 2022 and continues to monitor imports.

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4 Jul 2022

Spit Guards Instead of Masks for Hawkers and Food and Beverage Handlers Working at Stalls at Coffee Shops and Hawker Centres

Ms Hany Soh asked whether hawkers and food handlers at coffee shops and hawker centres could use spit guards instead of masks.
The Singapore Food Agency requires masks or spit guards to prevent food contamination but notes the national COVID-19 mandate currently requires masks indoors, including at most hawker stalls.
SFA previously allowed spit guards pre-COVID and will do so again if the indoor mask mandate is lifted.
Mask-wearing remains crucial for public health and will continue to be enforced in indoor settings until guidelines change.

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4 Jul 2022

Impact of Export Curbs on Supply of Key Food Items to Singapore and on Singapore's "30 by 30" Food Production Goal

The Minister outlined Singapore's multi-pronged strategy to ensure food supply resilience, including diversifying import sources across over 170 countries, building business continuity plans, and maintaining crisis stockpiles, while acknowledging that complete prevention of disruptions is impossible and global price fluctuations cannot be fully insulated.
While the "30 by 30" goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030 is ambitious and faces land and resource constraints, the government is exploring options like master-planning the Lim Chu Kang area and incorporating stakeholder suggestions, but prioritizes resource-efficient food items like eggs and fish over poultry.
The Minister highlighted that businesses and consumers have shown adaptability during the recent Malaysian chicken export ban, and encouraged continued diversification, flexibility in consumption, and collective resilience, while noting that support packages exist to alleviate cost pressures without distorting market conditions.

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9 May 2022

Ensuring Hygiene Standards at Hawker Centres and Coffee Shops and Effectiveness of Enforcement Actions

The Ministry monitors public hygiene through surveys like the Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey and tracks feedback, with satisfaction levels at hawker centres, coffee shops, and food courts having improved since pre-COVID, while complaint volumes remain stable.
To address hygiene standards, the Environmental Sanitation Regime sets baseline cleaning frequencies, and agencies work with operators and cleaners to improve workflows, such as deploying separate teams for table cleaning and tray return areas.
The cleaning sector faces manpower shortages due to increased demand from returning workers and tourists, but the Ministry is monitoring the situation and supporting cross-deployment and backfilling efforts.
Enforcement checks are conducted by the Singapore Food Agency and the National Environment Agency, with most operators complying, and fines and penalties are used to ensure adherence to hygiene standards.

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4 Apr 2022

Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment

The Senior Minister of State clarified that during dining restrictions, rental revisions for hawker stalls were frozen, and in the upcoming review, 94% of stalls will either have no change or a rental reduction, with 58% seeing a reduction.
Only about 6% of stalls (14 stalls) will see a rental increase, but these revisions are moderated and capped at around $300, while reductions range from $20 to over $2,400.
The official corrected a prior statement, adjusting the percentage of stalls with no revision or a reduction from 96% to 94% for accuracy.

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4 Apr 2022

Impact of Higher Electricity and Ingredient Prices on Earnings of Hawkers

Hawk ers have been affected by rising electricity and ingredient prices as well as COVID-19 dining restrictions, but footfall is improving with eased measures and travel reopening, though the government does not track individual hawkers’ earnings.
The government has provided support including rental waivers, service subsidies, cash payouts, and a new Small Business Recovery Grant offering up to $10,000 per hawker business, while low-income families can seek assistance through ComCare and CDC vouchers.
In response to concerns about private hawker centres and targeted aid, the government noted that most rental reviews result in no change or reductions, the Small Business Recovery Grant applies to eligible stallholders, and CDC vouchers can already be used at participating hawker stalls.

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4 Mar 2022

Number of Community Gardens at HDB Multi-Storey Car Park Rooftops and Implication for Singapore's "30 by 30" Food Security Goal

The Minister reported that 16 MSCP rooftops have been tendered for commercial urban farming and six have been converted to community gardens, with these projects contributing to Singapore’s “30 by 30” food security goal.
Agencies are evaluating the outcomes of the first two tenders and considering factors like structural load, utilities, and future development plans before expanding the program.
SFA and HDB have established a Regulations Workgroup and published guides to streamline regulatory processes and provide a consolidated resource for farm operators.
The Minister explained that rules requiring Professional Engineers and other standards exist due to infrastructure upgrades needed, such as increasing electricity supply capacity for advanced farming.
Both speakers acknowledged the need to continue reviewing and simplifying regulations to support community and commercial farming efforts on MSCP rooftops.

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1 Mar 2022

Measures to Reduce Number of Fire and Gas Leakage Cases in Hawker and Food Centres

The Ministry outlined that hawker centres are equipped with fire safety measures such as manual fire alarms, heat/smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers, and that gas supply is regulated with strict storage, design, and maintenance requirements to prevent leaks and fires.
In response to a suggestion for emergency unlocking mechanisms, the Ministry stated it would review the practicality of such systems while emphasizing that stallholders should prioritize safety by contacting SCDF and practicing fire prevention.
Statistics show that over three years, most stall fires were due to unattended cooking or faulty appliances, underscoring the need for stallholders to maintain vigilance and adhere to safety practices.

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15 Feb 2022

Displacement of Workers from Implementation of Regulation on Self-clearing of Plates and Utensils in Hawker Centres and Food Courts

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the potential displacement of workers due to the new self-clearing regulation for plates and utensils in hawker centres and food courts and whether there are transition plans for affected workers.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the Clean Tables Campaign, launched in 2021, aims to improve hygiene by encouraging tray return but does not replace cleaners, who remain essential for general cleanliness and sanitization.
Agencies are working with stakeholders to revise cleaning workflows, such as assigning cleaners to sort crockery and wipe tables, and emphasized that the campaign should not be used as a reason to lay off workers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased hygiene demands, reinforcing the ongoing need for cleaners in dining places despite the self-clearing initiative.

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15 Feb 2022

Steps to Diversify Sources of Seafood and Vegetable Items Ahead of Major Festivities to Mitigate Price Increases

The Singapore government has diversified seafood and vegetable imports from over 10 source countries to strengthen supply resilience and mitigate festive price increases, while also working with retailers and CASE to promote consumer awareness.
Prices rise due to seasonal demand surges, and the government employs a multi-pronged strategy—including import diversification, local production goals, and stockpiling—to stabilize food prices amid global disruptions like climate change and supply chain issues.
Retailers are actively moderating prices through campaigns and discounts, and the government collaborates closely with local companies to ensure sufficient supply, with factors like currency appreciation and passing monsoon seasons helping to temper cost pressures.

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11 Jan 2022

Successful Applications for Agri-food Cluster Transformation Fund and Total Amount of Grants Given Out

The Agri-food Cluster Transformation Fund has received 23 applications since its launch on 30 April 2021, with eight approved as of 31 December 2021.
Approved grants range from $10,000 to $700,000 per farm, with co-funding at 70% for commonly-consumed food items and 50% for other food items.
The Singapore Food Agency is currently evaluating the remaining 15 applications, and no breakdown by types of successful applicants was provided in the response.

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11 Jan 2022

Food Farms and Coastal Fish Farms Currently Licensed in Singapore

There are 260 licensed food farms in Singapore, comprising 58% land-based and 42% sea-based farms.
For land-based farms, 65 have leases expiring in less than five years and five have leases expiring between five and 10 years.
Sea-based farms currently operate without leases, and the government is reviewing policies to provide greater certainty on sea space use.

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11 Jan 2022

Building of Further Agri-tech and Urban Farm Clusters to Ensure Food Supply

Dennis Tan questioned whether the Ministry would expand agri-tech and urban farm clusters to secure food supply and curb price disruptions.
Grace Fu clarified that food price fluctuations are influenced by multiple global factors beyond local supply, making total price stability through local production unrealistic.
She emphasized that import diversification, paired with local production, is a more effective strategy for resilience.
The Singapore Food Agency is optimizing land and sea space, including Lim Chu Kang and new sea tenders, to boost farm productivity.
High-tech and urban farms in industrial spaces and on HDB rooftops are being utilized as additional food sources.

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10 Jan 2022

Impact on Food Security from Closure of Senoko Fishery Port and Future Disruptions at Jurong Fishery Port

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the risk assessment for food security due to the Senoko Fishery Port closure and measures for future disruptions at Jurong Fishery Port, highlighting concerns over supply chain resilience.
Grace Fu Hai Yien noted that the consolidation of Senoko into Jurong aims to streamline wholesale seafood purchases, and during a past temporary closure of Jurong, SFA and Enterprise Singapore activated alternative suppliers and maintained frozen stocks to stabilize supply.
SFA is reviewing its fishery port plans through a consultancy study on future infrastructure needs, expected to be completed in 2022, to support fresh food wholesale and distribution.
SFA implements tight safe management measures at key food nodes, including entry passes, testing regimes, and zoning, while working with associations to refine contingency plans and provide alternative distribution sites.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on Hawker Centre Plans for Choa Chu Kang Town Centre

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for the status, location, and timeline of the planned hawker centre in Choa Chu Kang Town Centre.
Grace Fu Hai Yien replied that the hawker centre will be part of a mixed-use development, with construction starting after Phase 1 of the Jurong Region Line works, projected for completion in 2027.
Agencies are currently studying the development plans and will provide further updates when ready.
Additionally, a new hawker centre in the nearby Yew Tee Integrated Development is projected to be completed in 2027.

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3 Nov 2021

Average Licensing Cost Incurred by Non-hawker Food and Beverage Establishment and Plans to Waiver Costs for Licence Renewals for FY2022 Given Impact from COVID-19

Melvin Yong inquired about the average licensing cost for non-hawker F&B establishments and whether costs for FY2022 licence renewals could be waived due to COVID-19 impacts.
Grace Fu stated that SFA licenses F&B establishments with an annual food shop licence costing $195 and a food stall licence costing $32, noting the cost is insignificant.
The government supports F&B establishments through measures like the Jobs Support Scheme, Foreign Worker Levy rebates, and rental waivers, rather than waiving licence renewal costs.
No specific commitment was made to waive licensing costs for FY2022, with emphasis on existing support schemes to address the pandemic's impact.
The response highlighted that licence fees are minimal compared to the broader financial assistance available to the F&B sector during the crisis.

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