MIRI, August 10: The TG Agro Fruit pineapple farm in Sungai Tukau has become the leading producer of the Sarawak Gold (SG1) pineapple variety, which has the potential to boost pineapple cultivation across Sarawak and Malaysia.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that in the coming years, Malaysia will be able to increase its global pineapple exports.
"Global demand for Malaysian pineapples currently reaches 4,000 containers, but the country can only supply 800 containers, or about one-fifth of the demand.
"Now, with the existence of this farm, the SG1 variety seeds can be distributed throughout Sarawak and Malaysia," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the facilities at the Pineapple Farm here today.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said Sarawak has set a target to expand pineapple cultivation to 20,000 hectares by 2030.
"This target is expected to support the growth of the country's pineapple industry and strengthen Malaysia's position in the global market while also meeting local demand.
"Currently, Malaysia's main pineapple exports are to Singapore, China, Europe, Japan, and Germany, primarily in the form of juice," he said.
LPNM, in a statement, noted that Sarawak has great potential to replace Johor as the country's main pineapple production area, given that the state has 59,000 hectares of idle land that can be developed for pineapple cultivation.
In Sarawak, there are 700 pineapple growers concentrated in the Samarahan, Betong, Mukah, and Miri areas.
"As of February this year, the SG1 cultivation area covers 52.5 hectares, with an expected seed production of 11.9 million by 2026. LPNM will continue to support the expansion of SG1 cultivation nationwide," the statement said.
— BERNAMA
