KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The United States aims to increase halal-certified beef exports to Malaysia, as regulatory barriers are eased under the Malaysia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs Luke J. Lindberg told Nikkei Asia in an interview that the US sees scope to expand its agriculture exports across a broad range of categories, especially protein, besides dairy and agricultural inputs.
Malaysia was reportedly Southeast Asia’s largest beef consumer on a per capita basis in 2024, with average intake reaching 8.8 kg per person. In 2022, Malaysia’s self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for beef and water buffalo meat stood at only 14.7 per cent.
Lindberg said American beef, including halal-certified products, can compete on quality and food safety.
After the USDA undersecretary wrapped up the US’ first Trade Reciprocity for US Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission of the year in Malaysia last month, the US embassy in Malaysia noted that 16 US agribusinesses in the delegation had toured local supermarkets to get more American fruit and seafood on Malaysian shelves. The US is also working directly with Petronas on sustainable fuels.
“One of the biggest wins? Sitting down with Malaysian officials to clarify how US farmers can meet Malaysian halal standards, paving the way for premium halal-certified US beef to go straight to the best kitchens in Kuala Lumpur,” tweeted the US embassy in KL on X last Saturday.
Lindberg’s visit to Malaysia included a courtesy call to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry secretary-general Hairil Yabri Yaacob.
The USDA undersecretary highlighted strong growth in dairy exports even before ART takes effect, with US dairy shipments to Malaysia up 23 per cent last year and cheese exports jumping 245 per cent.
US producers also want to supply soybeans and animal feed to Malaysia that can be processed locally and either consumed domestically or exported to the region.
“When American products come into Malaysia, get processed here and then move across the region, that supports Malaysian jobs and our farmers back home,” Lindberg told Nikkei Asia. “That’s where the relationship becomes long term.”
ART reduces longstanding regulatory frictions as Malaysia has formally recognised the US food safety system under the trade pact, which Lindberg said would smooth out inconsistencies in certification, registration and shipping requirements that have previously slowed trade.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Isham Ishak met with Lindberg’s deputy, Michelle Bekkering, in Washington DC during a working visit to the US from January 17 to 24.
KPKM said the meeting was aimed at “strengthening technical cooperation and increasing the level of joint trust” in food safety and agricultural trade between Malaysia and the US, following the signing of ART last October.
The ministry’s January 22 statement did not specify further details or any concerns with the safety of US agricultural or food exports.
“USDA welcomed a delegation of Malaysian food regulators. Both US and Malaysian regulators appreciated the opportunity to engage in technical dialogue,” the USDA’s press office told CodeBlue briefly, when contacted for details about the KPKM delegation’s visit to the US.
Under ART, Malaysia must recognise US food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems for meat, poultry, dairy, and certain agricultural products, streamlining import eligibility by accepting US federal inspection directories and limiting additional approval requirements.
The Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (Mavma) previously warned that the trade pact risked undermining Malaysia’s veterinary authority and control over food safety, biosecurity, and halal standards, due to a requirement for automatic recognition of American food safety systems.