Rompin Integrated Pineapple Industries is a Malaysian company devoted to the production and export of MD2 pineapples to various worldwide destinations. General Manager Patrick Teoh explains that “We have 2,000 hectares split into 2 phases: phase 1 – 600 hectares (current) and phase 2 – 1,400 hectares (ready by 2017) in the East coast region of Malaysia, facing the South China Sea. These will eventually yield 130,000 tonnes/ year (39,000 tonnes in the current phase).”
According to Patrick, this two-phase expansion was motivated by the fact that demand is currently higher than supply at its most important export markets: Japan and South Korea. “Furthermore, we may also soon start exporting to China, as a protocol is currently being negotiated. The fruit is also shipped to Europe and the Middle East. Overall, around 70% of our production is exported, with the rest going to the domestic market.”
In terms of recent consumer trends, Patrick says, “In South Korea and Japan, we have observed that consumers have been moving from canned pineapples to premium fresh fruit, and this is mostly due to health reasons. In Korea, they are now implementing the fresh cut in sealed packs and supplying them to schools, and this is quickly driving up demand.”
Rompin, in fact, is strongly committed to both health and environmental issues. “This is why we have our own seedling laboratory, to make sure these are free from disease before planting. Plantation management is also very important, as it can greatly influence whether your plantation will be more or less resistant to the spread of diseases,” explains Patrick.
Patrick also has good prospects for the future of Malaysia’s pineapple industry, with plenty of support from government and private initiative. “Overall, demand will continue to increase and supply will not be sufficient, since the acreage suitable for pineapple cultivation in the world is limited. All we can do is see how we can increase the yield, and that is what we are moving towards,” concludes Patrick Teoh.
For more information:
Patrick Teoh
General Manager
Rompin Integrated Pineapple Industries Sdn. Bhd.
21-5, Jalan SP 2/1, Serdang Perdana, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor D. E., Malaysia.
Tel : +603-8940 7171
Fax : +603-8941 7171
E-Mail : catherine@md2.com.my
Website : www.md2.com.my