Local production dips below 10% amid farm closures, energy costs, and market pressures
Singapore’s ambition to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030 has been severely tested. In 2024, both vegetable and seafood yields dropped significantly, sparking concerns over the country’s food resilience despite advances in egg production and diversification of import sources.
Local Food Production in Decline
According to the 2024 Singapore Food Statistics report released on June 5, local food production fell below 10% of total demand. Vegetable farming and aquaculture — already under pressure in past years — suffered further setbacks. Only 3% of vegetables consumed in 2024 were locally grown, down from 3.2% in 2023 and 3.9% in 2022. Seafood production fell even more sharply, from 7.3% in 2023 to 6.1% in 2024.
This downward trend stems from a series of disruptions in the farming sector, including farm closures, postponed plans, and cost pressures. The total number of farms also shrank, with land-based farms dropping from 156 to 153 and sea-based farms plunging from 98 to 72.
Challenges Behind the Collapse
The decline is attributed to restructuring efforts, aging farmers opting to retire, and environmental conditions impacting aquaculture yields. A key factor has been the rising costs of operating sea-based farms. Under a new licensing scheme, operators must pay for sea space, adding further financial strain. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) noted that one-quarter of sea farms exited the industry in 2024.
SFA chief executive Damian Chan, in his first interview since assuming office in May 2024, acknowledged the hurdles: high operating and energy costs, limited investment interest, and difficulty in securing consistent sales. While energy prices have stabilized somewhat, they remain higher than in other countries, making local produce less competitive.
Egg Farms Buck the Trend
Amid the decline, Singapore’s three high-tech egg farms stood out. Local egg production rose 13% year-on-year, supplying 34.4% of the country’s total egg consumption in 2024, up from 31.9% in 2023. This success was driven by technological upgrades and improved operations, offering a model for scalable, resilient farming.
Chan emphasized that increasing productivity, not farm count, is critical. “What we need is more farms that have sufficient scale to be productive, competitive, and financially sustainable,” he said.
The Future: High-Tech Hope
There are signs of cautious optimism. The report indicates that 2025 and 2026 will see the launch and expansion of several large-scale indoor vertical farms, designed for climate resilience and high productivity. Among them is Artisan Green’s 2-hectare site in Sungei Tengah, now slated for a Q3 2026 opening after design changes.
Vegetable farm productivity improved slightly in 2024 — from 227.2 tonnes per hectare to 231.4 tonnes — suggesting a path forward through innovation.
Revamping the 30-by-30 Target
The aspirational 30-by-30 goal, first introduced in 2019, is currently under review. Initially set before major global events like the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war, the goal now faces a more complex landscape. Chan noted that some improvements will require policy-level, infrastructure, and farm-specific changes.
Meanwhile, SFA plans to open new aquaculture zones in the East Johor Strait from 2026, aiming to nearly double seafood output from the current 3,500 tonnes to 6,700 tonnes annually.
Food Safety and Diversification Remain Key
Food safety remains under tight scrutiny, with 31 major gastroenteritis incidents recorded in 2024, up from 30 in 2023. Over half of foodborne illness cases were linked to catered food, prompting SFA to step up inspections.
Singapore’s continued diversification of import sources is also vital. In 2024, the nation approved Portugal for new imports, along with Brunei and Poland for beef, and Türkiye for poultry, expanding its food supply sources to 187 regions.
The report paints a stark picture of the vulnerabilities in Singapore’s local food ecosystem, even as it showcases the success of select high-tech egg farms and future-facing vertical farms. With food security intricately tied to regional stability, climate shifts, and technological adaptability, both Indonesians and Singaporeans are reminded of the need to invest in scalable, sustainable agriculture — and the resilience it brings to the region.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Food Statistics, Local Vegetable Farming, Aquaculture Decline, Egg Farm Growth, Food Safety Singapore
