KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) has assured the public of sufficient supply of white rice in the country.

In managing the supply of imported rice into the country, Bernas said it has channelled as much as 630,000 metric tonnes of rice from January to August 2023, a 38% increase compared to the average monthly sales over the past five years.

“This means, the supply of white rice is more than sufficient without the government having to use a buffer stock supply,” it said.

Bernas said through its role as "buyer of last resort", its average local rice market share is only around 10%, while the rest are bought and processed by private factories.  

Bernas noted that demand for local white rice is increasing among consumers, contract suppliers and food industry players due to the price difference between local and imported white rice. 

Nonetheless, Bernas said it would stay committed and support all intervention programmes implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to guarantee local rice supply.