Selangor Urges Malaysians to Buy Local Fruits as Annual Import Bill Reaches RM7.5 Billion

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – The Selangor government has called on Malaysians to prioritise purchasing and consuming locally grown fruits as part of wider efforts to reduce the country’s reliance on imported agricultural products.

Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Executive Councillor Datuk Izham Hashim said Malaysia’s annual imports of fruits and vegetables are estimated to reach RM7.5 billion. Increasing public demand for domestic produce could help retain more economic value within the country while strengthening the livelihoods of farmers and agro-based entrepreneurs.

Izham said consumers could begin with simple changes, including replacing imported items in corporate or personal fruit baskets with Malaysian fruits. According to him, such purchasing decisions could directly support sales among local agricultural businesses.

He made the remarks after officiating the Selangor Fruit Festival 2026 at Aneka Walk in Shah Alam on Friday, July 24. Shah Alam Member of Parliament Azli Yusof and Shah Alam Mayor Datuk Zabidah Safar were also present at the event.

Izham described the annual festival as an important platform for introducing high-quality local agricultural products to the public. Apart from offering fresh and nutritious produce, the programme aims to raise awareness about the economic importance of supporting Malaysia’s farming sector.

The three-day festival runs until Sunday and is jointly organised by the Combined Agriculture Committee, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, the Selangor State Development Corporation and the Shah Alam City Council. It operates from 10am until 10pm throughout the event period.

Organisers are targeting approximately RM250,000 in sales through various activities and direct transactions involving participating entrepreneurs. About 40 tonnes of local fruits representing 15 varieties have been prepared for visitors.

Among the fruits available are durian, mangosteen, rambutan, langsat, pulasan, pineapple and guava. The event allows consumers to purchase produce directly while giving local farmers and entrepreneurs broader access to the urban market.

Encouraging local fruit consumption could also contribute to Malaysia’s wider food-security goals. Stronger domestic demand may provide farmers with more stable markets, potentially encouraging higher production and greater investment in the country’s agricultural industry.

The initiative comes as Malaysia continues working to reduce its overall food-import dependence. The federal government has separately announced a long-term target of cutting food imports by at least 15 per cent by 2030, more than 30 per cent by 2040 and 50 per cent by 2050.

Izham also addressed concerns surrounding hot weather conditions and possible market disruptions. He said the Selangor government continues to monitor rivers and dams to ensure agricultural activities are not seriously affected by El Niño conditions.

Selangor has used stored water through the Rawang Water Guarantee Scheme to redirect river water for paddy fields and other agricultural activities. The measure was taken despite a slight decline in river levels several months earlier, which carried the risk of increasing ammonia concentrations.

According to Izham, water levels at Selangor’s seven main dams remain in a strong position at between 85 and 90 per cent. The available reserves are expected to provide sufficient water for the state’s agricultural sector.

By promoting local fruits and maintaining essential agricultural resources, the Selangor government hopes to strengthen domestic food production, support local businesses and gradually reduce Malaysia’s dependence on imported produce.