February 22, 2023

 

Singapore imports more poultry from Australia

 

Singapore has become one of Australia's most valuable destinations for poultry shipments through the introduction of streamlined import processes, accounting for 9% or US$5.3 million worth of Australia's total poultry products in 2022, The Star reported.

 

The streamlining saw Australian poultry imports temporarily exempted from Singapore's veterinary inspections before and after the birds were slaughtered, as first announced by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in June 2022.

 

In comparison to the same period in 2021, the temporary exemption caused Australia's poultry exports to Singapore to rise by 54% from June to July of 2022. This exemption was made permanent in September.

 

The Green Economy Agreement, which outlines a set of green economy principles and the scope of cooperation in seven areas including trade, carbon markets, and clean energy, was signed by both countries the following month, further extending their cooperation.

 

These include working together on concepts and projects that advance best practises for sustainable agri-food systems meant to address, among other issues, concerns about global food security.

 

Amelia Walsh, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission's trade and investment commissioner in Singapore, attended the opening of Cold Storage's Taste of Australia Fair, which showcases imported Australian produce.

Walsh said they are delighted to partner with Cold Storage to bring the Taste of Australia fair to stores in Singapore, highlighting the premium range of Australian products available on shelves.

 

Malaysia has been a key exporter of chickens to Singapore. But Malaysia banned chicken exports between June and October 2022 to combat rising costs and a lack of supply. Singapore shifted to alternative suppliers like Thailand and Brazil and increased imports from these nations.

 

The SFA said that in 2021, Singapore imported 34%, or nearly 73,000 tonnes, of its chicken supply from Malaysia.

 

In December 2022, the republic began importing eggs from Brunei as part of efforts to diversify its imports.

 

Singapore now imports eggs from 17 different nations, including Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Spain, and Poland.

 

-      The Star