{
  "id": 16012310,
  "title": "Smaller produce, higher prices: Haze hits vegetable imports into Singapore",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/smaller-produce-higher-prices-haze-hits-vegetable-imports-into",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T07:02:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/haze-vegetables-fruits-smaller-expensive-malaysia-indonesia-import-6481731"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore is experiencing the effects of haze from parts of Southeast Asia, which is causing smaller produce, tighter supplies, and higher prices for imported vegetables. Wholesalers report that heads of iceberg lettuce from Malaysia are about 50% smaller than usual since October. Leafy vegetables are particularly vulnerable to a lack of sunlight, and prolonged exposure affects their size and yield. The haze affects about 70 million hectares of farmland in the region, representing more than half of agricultural land. Avo & Co, a major importer, sources about a fifth of its produce from Malaysia and Indonesia, and expects the supply of leafy vegetables to be affected. Prices for leafy greens have risen, with a bag of cabbages from Indonesia costing up to 50% more than before. If supplies from Indonesia become unavailable, Avo & Co is considering sourcing vegetables from alternative markets like China and Vietnam. Fruit quality could also suffer due to the haze, as insufficient sunlight affects the sweetness and size of fruits like pineapples, watermelons, and honeydews. Importers and local farms report weakened demand due to the haze, with some local farms experiencing slower crop growth and delayed harvest times.",
  "summary": "A typical head of iceberg lettuce from Malaysia is now about 50 per cent smaller than usual, says a wholesaler.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Rising phone prices fuel repairs and second-hand sales in Singapore as consumers delay upgrades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/rising-phone-prices-fuel-repairs-and-second-hand-sales-in-singapore",
        "published": "2026-10-22T03:09:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}