FOOD SECURITY AND SINGAPORE’S POSITION

3 March 2011

Mrs Tan‐Low Lai KimDirector, Food Supply Resilience Department

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Outline of Presentation:

• AVA’s Vision and Mission

• Global Food Situation

• Food Security Challenges

• Singapore’s Food Security Strategies

• Case Study: Recent Food Disruptions

• Questions and Answers

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Vision

Safe food, healthy animals and plants for Singapore; trusted and respected globally. 

Mission • Ensure a resilient supply of safe food;• Ensure the health & safeguard the welfare of animals;• Safeguard the health of plants;• Facilitate agri‐trade.

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Global Food Situation

Source: FAO Food Price Index (FFPI)

2010

2008

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Food Security

“…exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary 

needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

FAORome, November 1996 

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Food Security Challenges

Food Security

Increased DEMAND

Decreased SUPPLY

Climate Change

Other Factors

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Possible Impact on Singapore

Short Term Impact

• Sudden stoppage of critical food supplies

• Increased competition with major global buyers

• Sudden Price hikes Price of Com

mod

ity (USD

)Duration (Months)

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Source: FAO Food Price Index (FFPI)

Possible Impact on Singapore

Long Term Impact

• Unavailability of food supplies

• Increased competition over increasingly tight food supplies

• Permanent rise in food pricesFood Supply

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Singapore’s Food Security Strategies

3 Key Strategies

• Key Strategy 1: Diversification of food sources

• Key Strategy 2: Stockpiling of essential food items

• Key Strategy 3: Enhancing local production

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Diversification of Food Source(Country)

(Zones)

Diversification of Meat Types (Poultry)

Frozen Meat Substitutes

(Pork & Chicken)

Mitigating Strategies

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Singapore’s Food Security Strategies

Supporting Strategies1) S$10 million Food Fund2) Business continuity management3) Engaging international and regional fora4) Promotion of food substitutes5) Development of technologies for urban farming

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Case Study: Recent Food Disruptions

Severe Floods in Queensland, Australia

Backgound: Worst floods since 1893 affecting areas larger than the combination of  Germany and France.

Areas affected:Queensland and Brisbane

Key commodities imported: Pork, beef, mutton and sugar

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Case Study: Recent Food Disruptions

Source: Consumer Price Index, Singapore Department of Statistics

85.000

87.000

89.000

91.000

93.000

95.000

97.000

99.000

101.000

103.000

105.000

Jan‐05

Mar‐05

May‐05

Jul‐0

5Sep‐05

Nov

‐05

Jan‐06

Mar‐06

May‐06

Jul‐0

6Sep‐06

Nov

‐06

Jan‐07

Mar‐07

May‐07

Jul‐0

7Sep‐07

Nov

‐07

Jan‐08

Mar‐08

May‐08

Jul‐0

8Sep‐08

Nov

‐08

Jan‐09

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May‐09

Jul‐0

9Sep‐09

Nov

‐09

Jan‐10

Mar‐10

May‐10

Jul‐1

0Sep‐10

Nov

‐10

Jan‐11

Food CPI (Base=2009) 

CPI Food 

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Thank you