- Drought and fires are increasing trans-boundary haze risk in Kalimantan, driven by El Nino conditions, affecting regional stability.
- Intensifying dry season and fire risk in Borneo provinces, leading to haze affecting air quality in Sarawak.
- El Nino causes drier conditions in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- El Nino is causing drought conditions in Sumatra and Kalimantan, leading to increased fire risk and smoke affecting Malaysia.
Transboundary smoke and air pollution threaten agricultural output in Southeast Asia
What happened
Paul Teng warned that haze poses a food security risk to Southeast Asia's agriculture. Pollutants like particulate matter and ground-level ozone can reduce crop growth, yield, and quality by affecting photosynthesis and carrying contaminants. The 2026 haze episodes followed widespread transboundary smoke reported across the Mekong sub-region between December 2025 and May 2026.
From channelnewsasia.com
Why it matters
Air pollution is identified as a food security issue because poor air quality can significantly reduce crop output and quality. Reduced solar radiation from severe haze, as seen during the 1997 Indonesian forest fires, previously shrank the output of rice, fruits, and vegetables.
El Nino is causing drought conditions in Sumatra and Kalimantan, which increases the risk of fires and smoke affecting Malaysia.
From channelnewsasia.com
Who's involved
- KalimantanLocation of fires and smoke originating in Borneo
- SumatraLocation of fires and smoke originating in Sumatra
- MalaysiaCountry affected by transboundary smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan
- Southeast AsiaRegion facing agricultural and air quality risks
- IndonesiaCountry containing Sumatra and Kalimantan
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Smoke from Kalimantan and Sumatra may reduce Indonesian crop yieldsTransboundary smoke may reduce Indonesian crop yields and threaten food securityLikely
- Transboundary smoke may reduce crop yield in SabahTransboundary smoke may reduce crop yield and quality in Sabah's agricultural areas.Possible
- How could transboundary smoke affecting regional crops impact Singapore's food security?Regional crop yields may face pressure from transboundary smokePossible
- Haze from Kalimantan may reduce crop yield and air quality in SarawakHaze from Kalimantan may reduce crop yield and air quality in SarawakPossible
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- Haze is causing severe declines in vegetable supply and affecting leafy greens in Java and Kulai.Sub-event
Paul Teng warns of air quality risks and transboundary smoke affecting regional crops.1 source
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Kalimantan
Indonesian part of the island of Borneo
Nothing else this week.
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Sumatra
island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands
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Malaysia
country in Southeast Asia