KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting an expansion of its pineapple planting area to 20,000 hectares by 2030, backed by an RM80 million allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) for 2026 to 2030.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the industry could no longer be viewed simply as growing and selling fruit, but needed to be developed as a complete value chain covering planting materials, production, post-harvest management, processing, value addition, marketing, logistics and both domestic and export markets.
“We need to build an entire ecosystem so that every stage of the value chain can generate economic opportunities and increase the income of smallholders and industry players.”
His speech was read by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail at the opening of the Kursus Perdana Rantaian Industri Nanas Negeri Sarawak 2026 at Hotel 56 here today.
Of the RM80 million, RM15 million has been earmarked for Phase 1 in 2026, focusing on the rollout and training components of the programme.
Dr Rundi said the growth of the industry would open up more opportunities for agropreneurs, young people, skilled workers, processors, marketers, technology providers and exporters, particularly in rural areas, adding that he hoped to see more young Sarawakians view the pineapple sector as a modern, professional business with a future.
Sarawak currently has 2,199.43 hectares under pineapple cultivation, making it the second-largest pineapple-growing state in Malaysia, with 1,480.10 hectares productive and yielding 33,231.55 metric tonnes.
