Singapore ranks amongst world’s ten most food-resilient nations, says New Index

Singapore ranks amongst world's ten most food-resilient nations, says New Index

Latest global index finds that Singapore leads Southeast Asia on affordability, safety and supply chain innovation

Singapore (25 June 2026) - Singapore has ranked among the world's ten most resilient food systems in a latest study by The Economist Enterprise. The research on global food resilience also delivers a strong word of caution: every major Asia-Pacific economy, including Singapore, has a blind spot around its ability to manage climate-driven food shocks.

The inaugural Resilient Food Systems Index (RFSI), by Economist Enterprise, supported by Cargill, ranks 60 countries on food system resilience across four pillars of affordability, availability, quality and safety and climate risk responsiveness. Singapore scores 73.0 overall. Ranking 9th out of 60 countries surveyed globally - the highest score in Southeast Asia and the only ASEAN economy in the world's top 25 - Singapore's ranking places it at the top of a closely competitive APAC cluster. Malaysia, a neighbouring country and key trade partner, ranks 10th with a score of 73.0. Together, the two economies represent the strongest food system performance in Southeast Asia and signal the region's capacity to compete with advanced economies globally.

This index corresponds with Singapore's updated food security and sustainability agenda; with the Singapore Food Story 2 (SFS2), announced in 2025, featuring sharpened 2035 targets and an expanded sustainability framework that goes beyond local production to a wider food resilience strategy. The RFSI shifts the focus from just rankings on the four pillars researched to highlighting pathways showing where targeted investment and policy co-ordination can materially strengthen food systems, improve livelihoods and secure nutrition outcomes over the long term.

"The results offer an independent, data-driven endorsement of Singapore's Food Story 2 strategy, confirming that a city-state without agricultural land can build a world-class food system through trade, partnership and targeted investment rather than production alone," commented John Fering, Group President, Food APAC, Cargill.

1. Affordability: Singapore's food diversity strategy earns a global top-ten ranking

Singapore scores strongly on affordability with a score of 85.2. On the affordability pillar for healthy diets, Singapore scores a near-perfect 99.9, the highest in Asia-Pacific, and a high 81.5 for the food safety net programmes, placing it amongst the top secen in APAC and reflecting the effectiveness of its food pricing and social support infrastructure.

2. Availability: Continued investment in import diversification, stockpiling and building supply chain efficiency, besides ramping up local production

Singapore scores 67.7 on food availability, ranking 7th globally and second in Asia-Pacific just behind Japan, which is significant for a country that imports 90% of its food currently. It reflects the effectiveness of its open-trade model and food resilience framework as a functional substitute for domestic agricultural capacity. Its logistics and distribution infrastructure score of 82.5 leads the entire region.

Singapore Food Story 2 builds on this foundation, moving beyond the previous 30-by-30 goal toward focused 2035 targets supported by a broader portfolio of strategies to ensure ample food availability.

3. Quality and Safety: Strong foundation with a focus on nutrition outcomes

Singapore's food quality and safety score of 79.8 places it third in APAC and on the 11th rank globally, with a food safety sub-score of 94.9. This is the fourth highest in Asia-Pacific and aligns with Singapore's Food Safety and Security Act on food legislation, consumer protection and traceability requirements and pre-market approval for novel foods.

In 62% of countries globally, the nations with the cheapest healthy diets absorb nearly two-thirds of the poorest households' income, underscoring the need to pair affordability with equitable access to nutritious food.  This access depends on reliable supply and trade. The Index highlights that the fifteen largest exporters have an average resilience score of 71, reinforcing the need to monitor risks and opportunities. These countries play an outsized role in global food-system resilience: when they function well, they stabilize markets globally; when they falter, the impact is felt around the world.

4. Climate risk responsiveness: An APAC-wide urgency

While the RFSI data positions Singapore as Asia-Pacific's most consistent top-tier performer on food system design - strong across affordability, availability and quality and safety - it also highlights that climate risk responsiveness is the universal weak point in the region. The climate risk responsiveness measures countries' physical exposure to climate hazards, disaster preparedness and commitment to agricultural adaptation. Singapore scores just 57.4 here, placing it 35th globally. No APAC economy in the index scores well on climate risk responsiveness.

Singapore has designated 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation, with strategies like the SFS2's global partnerships pillar aimed at expanding Singapore's import ecosystem by building cooperation with food-supplying nations to reinforce trade resilience.

"For over 160 years, Cargill has worked closely with partners across the global food system - from farmers and suppliers to governments and customers - to keep food moving around the world. This index reminds us that resilience can only be built together. As food security challenges evolve across APAC, we will continue to strengthen partnerships that help food systems adapt and provide people with greater access to safe, nutritious food," added John Fering, Group President, Food APAC, Cargill.

The RFSI covers 60 countries across six regions and 71 indicators. It is a part of The Food Imperative, a multi-year programme from Economist Enterprise examining the future of global food systems. Full data, country profiles and research methodology are available at impact.economist.com/energy-environment/resilient-food-systems-index.

About Cargill

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Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life's essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing-today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About Economist Enterprise

Economist Enterprise combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Enterprise previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, Economist Events, El Studios and SignalNoise.

Our track record spans 75 years across 205 countries. Along with creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, we produce framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, making Economist Enterprise' offering unique in the marketplace. Visit https://www.economistimpact.com for more information.