Malaysia now tops Southeast Asia for grocery spending — even ahead of Singapore. In 2023, Malaysians shelled out nearly USD 2,000 (over RM8,000) per person on food, according to the USDA. The numbers may not be inflation-adjusted, but the pain at the checkout counter is very real.

We speak with economist and policy analyst Professor Geoffrey Williams to break down why food is becoming so expensive in a country famous for its affordable, diverse cuisine.

We dig into the structural inefficiencies driving up prices — from currency depreciation and overreliance on imports to outdated policies and underdeveloped local production.

Is this just the new normal? Or are there levers we can pull to bring costs down? It’s a hard look at Malaysia’s food economy and what’s at stake if we continue on this path.

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