Malaysia’s pineapple exports remain robust despite Middle East tensions, with supply successfully diverted to other high-demand international markets
JASIN: The country’s pineapple export industry has not been impacted by the ongoing West Asia crisis. Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Salleh confirmed that exports to the Middle East constitute only 15% to 20% of the total market.
He stated that high demand in other countries provides ample alternatives. “From the marketing aspect, we have a wider alternative to resolve the pineapple export issue in this West Asia crisis situation,” he told reporters.
Mohd Khairuzamri cited China, Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as key alternative markets. He noted that current production cannot even meet the existing high demand from countries like China.
The industry’s self-sufficiency rate has reached 102%, eliminating any need for imports. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has set an export target of 4,000 containers per month by 2027.
Current production capacity only allows for the supply of about 1,700 containers monthly. Malaysia produces approximately 530,000 metric tons of pineapple annually.
Domestic consumption is also strong, with Malaysians eating an average of 12kg per person per year. Mohd Khairuzamri attributed the increase to the popularity of new, less sour premium varieties.
In a related development, pineapple waste is being used to produce livestock silage. This initiative helps reduce feed costs for ruminant farmers and provides extra income for pineapple entrepreneurs.
A flagship project with the Jasin Correctional Centre has produced 18.82 tonnes of silage since 2024. The silage has a market price of between RM10 and RM12 per kilogramme.
Meanwhile, political secretary Yuhaizad Abdullah said 197,197 pineapple entrepreneurs are registered under LPNM. They cultivate a total area of 135.27 hectares across Melaka.
The Alor Gajah district dominates cultivation with 67.89 hectares, followed by Jasin with 60.10 hectares. Last year, RM345,000 in Young Agropreneur grants were distributed to 1,000 youth participants in the state.
