Malaysia's Sarawak to start exporting SG-1 pineapples to China next year

Starting last year, Malaysia has been working to expand the pineapple cultivation area in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), which have great potential for development in terms of agricultural land. In March 2024, Sarawak introduced a new variety of pineapple, SG1 (Sarawak Gold 1). This variety, a hybrid introduced from Taiwan, China, has larger fruits with an attractive golden-orange flesh and a candy-like flavor, making it ideal for fresh consumption or juice processing. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and fiberless, making it very palatable when eaten fresh. Moreover, the growth period of SG-1 is significantly shorter than traditional varieties; while MD2 pineapples require 14-16 months, Moris pineapples need 12 months, SG1 can be harvested in just 9 months.

The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety (MAFS) has set multiple targets to increase local food production. These include increasing local corn production by 30% by 2040 and increasing onion production by 30% by 2030. The goal is to make Sarawak the largest granary in Malaysia by 2030, for which more than MYR 270 million will be invested, prioritizing 10 development projects to enhance irrigation and drainage infrastructure.