Singapore moves stockpiled food from warehouses to retail outlets as part of disruption readiness exercise

Singapore exercised its readiness to respond to a severe food supply disruption scenario on Wednesday (Sept 23) — testing stockpile operators, logistics providers, retailers — and their processes.

During the exercise, stockpiled food items were moved from warehouses to retail outlets, while retailers were tested on their ability to support the distribution of essential food items during a severe supply disruption.

Meanwhile, officers from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), together with industry stakeholders such as stockpile operators, logistics providers and retailers, went through their systems, procedures and logistics arrangements.

In a news release after the exercise, SFA said contingency plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that Singapore remains prepared for potential food supply disruptions, adding that the exercise is intended to strengthen the country's preparedness and operational readiness for potential food supply disruptions.

"The exercise enabled SFA and industry partners to validate contingency plans and strengthen collective readiness to respond to potential disruptions."

It added that insights from the exercise will be incorporated info future planning and preparedness efforts.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Janil Puthucheary, who was present to observe the exercise, highlighted that food supply disruptions can arise unexpectedly from many factors, including disease outbreaks, climate-related events and geopolitical developments.

"Stockpiling provides an important buffer while we restore food supply during widespread disruptions. We must be ready to mobilise these stocks when needed," Dr Janil said.

He added that such exercises enables the SFA and its partners to test their plans, strengthen coordination across the food supply chain, and enhance their readiness to manage potential disruptions.

"Through close collaboration between the Government and industry partners, we can strengthen the resilience of our food supply chain and continue to provide Singaporeans with access to a safe and secure food supply," Dr Janil said.

新加坡于周三（9 月 23 日）演练了应对严重食品供应中断情况的准备情况——测试了储备运营商、物流供应商、零售商及其流程。

演习期间，储备的食品从仓库运送到零售店，同时测试零售商在严重供应中断的情况下支持基本食品分销的能力。

与此同时，新加坡食品局 (SFA) 的官员与库存运营商、物流供应商和零售商等行业利益相关者一起，审查了他们的系统、程序和物流安排。

演习结束后，新加坡食品局在一份新闻稿中表示，会定期审查应急计划，以确保新加坡始终做好应对潜在食品供应中断的准备。该新闻稿还补充说，此次演习旨在加强新加坡应对潜在食品供应中断的准备和行动能力。

“此次演习使SFA及其行业合作伙伴能够验证应急计划，并加强应对潜在干扰的集体准备。”

声明还补充说，此次演习中获得的经验将纳入未来的规划和准备工作中。

出席此次演习的可持续发展与环境部高级政务部长贾尼尔·普图切里博士强调，粮食供应中断可能由多种因素意外引起，包括疾病爆发、气候相关事件和地缘政治发展。

“储备物资可以在我们应对大范围供应中断、恢复粮食供应的过程中起到重要的缓冲作用。我们必须做好准备，在需要时调动这些储备物资，”贾尼尔博士说。

他还补充说，此类演习使新加坡食品局及其合作伙伴能够检验其计划，加强整个食品供应链的协调，并提高其应对潜在中断的准备能力。

“通过政府与行业伙伴的密切合作，我们可以加强食品供应链的韧性，并继续为新加坡人提供安全可靠的食品供应，”贾尼尔博士说。