Sarawak leads pepper industry with 32,000-tonne target

KUCHING (Dec 20): Malaysia’s pepper industry remains on a growth trajectory despite global challenges, with production expected to reach 32,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2025, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.

She said exports from 2021 to October 2025 totalled 29,624 metric tonnes, valued at RM824.1 million, with the commodity contributing RM10.7 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

She said this in a speech at the Malaysia Pepper Conference and Expo 2025 (MAPEC 2025) on Friday, delivered by the ministry’s deputy secretary-general Dato Razali Mohamad.

Noraini said the industry will be further strengthened under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which focuses on expanding plantation areas, including a target of an additional 1,500 hectares of premium pepper and 2,000 hectares of mature crops.

“Of the total allocation of RM99.1 million for the development of the pepper industry, 95 per cent has been channelled to Sarawak in recognition of the state’s position as the country’s leading pepper producer and trendsetter for the industry,” she said.

To support smallholders, the ministry is promoting crop integration and has invested RM10.3 million in 32 farm road projects spanning more than 50 kilometres to improve supply chain efficiency.

Noraini also urged industry players to adopt modern technology and obtain certifications such as MyGAP and MyOrganik to remain competitive in the global market.

The four-day expo, which concludes tomorrow (Dec 21), features 500 participants and 69 exhibitors, and saw the signing of six memoranda of understanding and agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation.

Also present was Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) chairman Dato Anyi Ngau.