DESPITE spectres of food shortages up north in Malayisa, suppliers, importers and supermarkets here reassured that basic goods will remain plentiful.

Some 99 per cent of Singapore's oil, 72 per cent of its eggs, 30 per cent of flour and just a little less than half of vegetables found here come from Malaysia - but the shortages and price increases in Malaysia have not crossed the causeway, say players like NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Siong supermarkets and various merchant associations and importers.

Former chairman of the Eggs Import/Export Trading Association Tan Lau Huah explained that there are agreements between importers such as his mid-size company Chuan Seng Huat Egg Store and their suppliers. Because of these agreed-upon quotas, supply will remain steady.

In the case of cooking oil, suppliers in Malaysia enjoy better prices from buyers here who are not constrained by imposed price controls, so again, there is a steady supply.

Besides, retailers say, that more supplies are coming in from alternative countries like China and Australia.

Many bread and noodle manufacturers also say they rely more on local miller Prima - and Prima's general manager Mr Lewis Cheng, said that it is able to match the daily demand of 400 metric tonnes of flour without issue.

And retailers explain that if prices for foodstuffs appear pricier in shops here now, it is because of the general upswing in prices in 2007 - rather than any recent spillover effect from Malaysia.

Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.