Local vegetable and seafood production dip in 2023

Energy price hikes and rising manpower costs impacted local production.

The local production of vegetables and seafood, amongst key components of Singapore's agri-food sector, declined in 2023.

Data from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) showed that local production of vegetables and seafood fell 15% and 8%, respectively.

SFA attributed the decline in local production to delays in farm development during the COVID-19 pandemic, relocation of some farms, business headwinds due to inflationary pressures, increases in energy prices and elevated manpower costs. 

On the other hand, hen shell eggs, another integral component of the local agri-food sector, saw a 12% improvement as several farms enhanced their capacity and capabilities to produce more following upgrading plans.

SFA underscored the importance of supporting local farms, saying they need continued demand to scale.

"Supporting local produce can help keep farms commercially viable and strengthen their ability to contribute to Singapore’s food security during disruptions," the SFA said.

Sea-based farms in Singapore fell from 109 in 2022 to 98 in 2023.

To support local farms, SFA launched initiatives such as the  Aquatic Animal Health Services to help aquaculture farms better prevent and control diseases.

The SFA also launched its first sea space tender for farming fin fish and crustaceans off Pulau Bukom. The tender closed on 11 April.