\n<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE: In a recent interview, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that less than 1 per cent of the food Singapore imports is from the Middle East. Disruptions to the city-state are expected to be minimal in the near-term, she added in social media posts.<\/p>\n
However, the ongoing conflict that began when the United States and Israel started bombing Iran on February 28 is likely to cause food prices to rise. This is, in large part, because of increases in logistics, fuel, and fertilizer costs, which in turn have an effect on farming and global supply chains.<\/p>\n
As she wrote, \u201cglobal food supply chains are connected. We must be prepared for higher energy, shipping and fertiliser costs, which may lead to higher global prices for food over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aside from the war, she added in her interview to The Straits Times <\/em>and Lianhe Zaobao <\/em>that climate change is another key threat to food security and supply stability, but added that Singapore has been diversifying sources, stockpiling, and strengthening local systems and has made climate adaptation a national priority for this year.<\/p>\n Netizens commenting on Ms. Fu\u2019s remarks in her interview said that they\u2019re hardly surprised with the likelihood of food prices rising, with many aware that fertilizers are a by-product of petroleum and that the Middle East conflict is already affecting supply chains.<\/p>\n \u201cOil = fuel. Fuel = logistics. Logistics = ALL INDUSTRY. You don\u2019t need to be an economist to figure this out,\u201d one pointed out.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all basic knowledge\u2026 but what ordinary persons want to know is what are the Ministers\u2019 solutions to tackle this issue,\u201d wrote another.<\/p>\n \u201cSome added concerns that with the price of fuel and electricity going up, with seemingly everything else similarly rising, their salaries may not keep up.<\/p>\n \u201cBut salary is stagnant,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything\u2019s rising\u2026 how about my salary?\u201d asked another.<\/p>\n \u201cYour salary isn\u2019t impacted by price hikes, but ours is, so please take that into consideration before increasing prices,\u201d pointed out a third.<\/p>\n Others, meanwhile, posted their suggestions as to how the government can help Singaporeans in this type of situation.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it time to give more support for these businesses, which are technically essential services?\u201d asked one.<\/p>\n \u201cIf only they would pull back the fuel tax % for the time being.\u00a0That\u2019s understanding hardship,\u201d wrote another.<\/p>\n A commenter agreed, writing, \u201cFuel prices may increase, but the government can help if we can reduce the tax on fuel.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about helping hawkers in NEA hawker centres and providing subsidized gas for cooking? Cheaper gas means cheaper food for busy Singaporeans, where both spouses need to work to pay for living,\u201d added a third.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not give some form of voucher for the hawkers to subsidise them?\u201d another wrote. \/TISG<\/p>\n