PETALING JAYA: Pineapples grown in Malaysia are now available in France and New Zealand!

Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, chairman of Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, said the board made encouraging progress last year, increasing the export of pineapples from 800 to 1,778 containers.

“The two-fold increase in terms of containers shows that pineapples from Malaysia are well-received overseas.

“The adaptation in technology has enabled pineapples to remain fresh for longer periods of time for export,” he said.

The export of pineapples totalled RM899 million as of September last year.

Prior to receiving the accumulative figures of the export of pineapples till December, the board estimates the export value for the year to exceed RM1 billion, he said.

The total output of pineapples exceeded 100,440 metric tonnes last year, said Sheikh Umar, adding that the initial target was only 85,000 metric tonnes.

“The increase in output could be attributed to large-scale plantation by conglomerates venturing into pineapple plantation,” he said.

Sheikh Umar said area under pineapple plantation increased by 1,674 hectares last year to reach 18,275.7 hectares.

Pineapple plantation can generate decent income for both farmers and Malaysia, said Sheikh Umar.

“If 80 per cent of farmers receive more than RM5,000 a month under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), the board hopes to see farmers generate RM8,000 a month in the years to come.”

In mid-2024, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak was ready to expand the state’s pineapple plantation to 20,000 hectares by 2030.

Sarawak increased the area of pineapple plantation by 228 hectares last year.