
MIRI (August 11): Sarawak has set a target to increase the area of pineapple cultivation to 20,000 hectares by the year 2030.
This goal is expected to support the growth of the national pineapple industry and strengthen Malaysia's position in the global market, as well as meet local demand.
The announcement was made during a working visit by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to TG Agro Fruit in conjunction with the Road to the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agro-Tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2024 tour on Saturday.
Currently, Malaysia's primary pineapple exports are to Singapore, China, Europe, Japan, and Germany, mainly in the form of juice.
In Sarawak, there are 700 pineapple growers concentrated in the areas of Kota Samarahan, Betong, Mukah, and Miri.
As of February this year, the cultivation status of the 'Sarawak Gold' 1 (SG1) variety covers 52.5 hectares, with the TG Agro Fruit Pineapple Farm in Sungai Tukau being the main leader in cultivating this variety.
Also in attendance were Sarawak's Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (Food Industry) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Sirai Daha.
—EDISI UKAS