He said nearly 60% of Malaysia’s wheat and 75% of its lamb and beef come from Australia, adding that nations in the region know that providing fuel and fertiliser to Australia “helps put food on the table”.

“Malaysia’s urea fertiliser helps Australia grow crops like the wheat we supply here, contributing to Malaysia’s food security.

“As comprehensive strategic partners, we’re working together to prepare and shield our citizens from the worst of this global conflict’s impact,” Albanese said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Perdana Putra Complex here.

Albanese, who is in Malaysia for a three-day official visit, also said both countries signed an agreement on red meat processing and trade, which would support the bilateral halal meat trade, boost Australian red meat exports, and support Malaysia’s food security.

The agreement was signed between Malaysia’s Islamic development department and Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry department.

He said energy ministers from both countries had agreed to continue working together to coordinate responses to the ongoing fuel crisis, triggered by the Middle East conflict, and to ensure continued energy trade.

Anwar meanwhile said both Malaysia and Australia, which share “strong interdependence” in energy resources, including crude petroleum and natural gas, reiterated their commitment to existing energy-related agreements.

Australia was Malaysia’s 12th largest trading partner in 2025, with total bilateral trade valued at RM78.63 billion last year.

Malaysia and Australia elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, providing a framework to further expand cooperation across three key pillars: economic prosperity, society and technology, and defence and regional security.