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KUALA LUMPUR, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s Fama forms El Niño task force to secure food supplies amid looming ‘Super El Niño’ threat

The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) has activated a dedicated committee two months ahead of schedule to mitigate potential food supply disruptions from the impending El Niño phenomenon, which meteorologists warn could reach "very strong" or "Super El Niño" intensity by October.

The move marks Malaysia’s earliest recorded proactive response to the climate event, with Fama chairman Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus confirming plans to stockpile 34 key agro-food products—including chillies, cabbage, onions, chicken, and beef—in its nationwide warehouses, including cold storage facilities.

The initiative shows Malaysia’s urgency in addressing El Niño’s anticipated impact, which could exacerbate supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly in imports and exports. Fama’s strategy draws directly from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, when preemptive stockpiling and coordination with agencies like the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) helped sustain food availability.

With MetMalaysia’s director-general, Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, previously stating a 90% probability of El Niño escalating to extreme levels between October and December, Fama’s early mobilization reflects a shift from reactive to anticipatory crisis management in Malaysia’s agricultural sector.

Fama’s special committee was established in July 2026, two months before the typical response timeline, according to Abang Ahmad Kerdee. He emphasized that the authority had aligned its preparations with MetMalaysia’s forecasts, allowing for timely procurement and storage of buffer stocks. "At Fama, we established a committee two months ago.

Although El Niño is an annual phenomenon, we took proactive measures this year instead of waiting for it to occur," he told reporters on Saturday (Sept 26) at the Penang 2026 JAM Mega programme in Seberang Jaya, Penang. The event was officiated by Penang’s State Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman, Datuk Rashidi Zinol.

The stockpiling effort targets 34 agro-food products, categorized into perishables and staples, with a focus on items prone to supply chain disruptions. Abang Ahmad Kerdee specified that Fama’s state-level warehouses, including cold storage facilities, would be fully utilized to ensure multi-month reserves. "Should there be any issues, such as difficulties in securing imports or exports, we have a backup plan to ensure that there is sufficient supply of these products for several months," he stated.

The list includes high-demand items such as red chillies, green chillies, cabbage, onions, chicken, and beef, reflecting both domestic consumption patterns and potential trade bottlenecks.

Fama’s approach aligns with broader regional concerns over El Niño’s economic and social repercussions, particularly in Southeast Asia, where erratic weather patterns have historically strained food security. The authority’s decision to act preemptively—rather than in response to immediate shortages—highlights Malaysia’s growing emphasis on resilience in its agricultural supply chains. The strategy also signals coordination with other government agencies, including MetMalaysia, to monitor weather developments and adjust stockpiles accordingly.

For Malaysia’s food and beverage sector, Fama’s measures could ease immediate pressures on retailers and consumers, particularly if El Niño disrupts planting cycles or transportation logistics. However, the effectiveness of the stockpiling plan will depend on the severity of the phenomenon and the duration of any supply constraints.

Abang Ahmad Kerdee did not specify the volume of buffer stocks being procured, but the inclusion of perishable items suggests a focus on maintaining availability rather than large-scale hoarding.

The outlook for Malaysia’s food security hinges on the success of Fama’s preparations and the ability of other stakeholders—including farmers, exporters, and logistics providers—to adapt to El Niño’s potential disruptions. With MetMalaysia’s warning of a 90% probability of extreme conditions, the next critical phase will be monitoring weather developments and ensuring seamless distribution from Fama’s reserves.

The authority’s proactive stance sets a precedent for future climate-related challenges, reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to safeguarding its food supply chains against global and regional risks.

Related: Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama)