Sarawak will begin exporting its own pineapple variety, SG-1 or Sarawak Gold-1, to China and Singapore in 2026. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said this demonstrates the state's capacity to supply premium tropical fruit to international markets.
He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has set additional commodity targets, including increasing local corn production by 30% by 2040 and onion production by 30% by 2030. Food security programmes in Sarawak are aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan and the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030).
Kurup said, "Sarawak has several notable achievements. For example, next year it will export its own pineapple variety, SG-1, for the first time to China and Singapore." The East Malaysia High Impact Pineapple Industry Modernisation and Empowerment Project has also been launched, covering production, marketing, mechanisation, automation, and waste utilisation. This is intended to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness across the pineapple sector.
The federal government has identified Sarawak as a potential food security hub, with investments directed toward irrigation and drainage upgrades and 10 development projects valued at US$58.2 million. Kurup added that Sarawak is expected to become a key contributor to national food security and reduce reliance on imported produce. The initiatives also support the government's goal of making Sarawak the country's largest rice-producing region by 2030.
Source: Bernama
