SARAWAK GOLD PINEAPPLE - A NEW VARIETY

The new Sarawak Gold 1 (SG1) pineapple variety often referred to as Sarawak Gold or simply SG1 reoirted as a promising new hybrid variety that is significantly impacting Malaysia's pineapple industry, particularly in Sarawak. This variety was introduced as a 'Gamechanger' in which the SG1 is known for its fast growth cycle, high-density cultivation, and high export potential. The key characteristics of SG1 include the criteria of fast harvesting period in which the SG1 has a short maturation period of only 9 -10 months compared to the 14 - 16 months required for the MD2 variety. This SG1 also reported as high yield and high-density planting ana a allows for high-density planting of up to 22,000 plants per acre. The quality is known for being exceptionally sweet, with a stable, delicate flesh that is ideal for both fresh consumption and processing. Potential for export in which the fruit has a small core and crown, making it suitable for export markets. For future the production and expansion in Sarawak where this variety was brought in from Taiwan to Miri, Sarawak in late 2022 and officially registered by the Ministry of Agriculture The expansion planting target not in Sarawak alone and will be exanded to Peninsular Malaysia. The rapidly expanding its cultivation area, with a goal to reach 20,000 hectares by 2030, supported by RM23 million in funding allocated for 2025 to boost infrastructure and seed production. Estimated production Hub establoshed as in mid-2024, there were 52.5 hectares of SG1 planted with projections for 11.9 million seedlings by 2026. MPIB (Malaysian Pineapple Industrial Board) stated that the industry shift in Sarawak has potential to overtake Johor as the main pineapple producer in Malaysia years to come. The state goverment plans to begin exporting the SG1 variety to Singapore and China in 2026 where teher are high demand for SG1 in Singapore, the UAE, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. Export Infrastructure: A RM1 billion foreign-backed export hub is being developed in Tanjung Manis, and a RM10 million canning facility is expected to be operational in 2026 to process this high-yield variety. As of January 2026, the national pineapple industry has surpassed its 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) target with 19,000 hectares proposed planted nationwide. 2025 Expansion: By August 2025 thei variety was announced that Sarawak would start exporting SG1 to Singapore and China in 2026. In 2024 reported the shipments of SG1 were already being sent from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia for testing marketability in the processing sector. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog I write about the new registered pineapple from Sarawak known as 'Sarawak Gold-1' or SG-1 for Malaysian pineapple industry.

The media report that a total of 7,000 pineapples of the new variety Sarawak Gold 1 (SG1) weighing 10.5 metric tonnes will be sent to Peninsular Malaysia from TG Agro Fruit Sdn Bhd’s plantation in Kampung Sungai Tukau here. MPIB stated thhat the fruits will be placed in a 20-foot temperature-controlled cold container and will be sent to Johor Bahru accordingly. I was the main actor during the registration process of this variety owned bya Dato' Yap companies way back ini 2019 (See photo above). The container is expected to arrive at Pasir Gudang Port at the end of this month with delivery duration of two weeks. MPIB added that the 200-acre SG1 pineapple plantation in Sungai Tukau in which is located more than 12 kilometres from Miri city centre were pioneers in the cultivation, development and production of SG1 pineapples. MPIB’s Marketing Development Division, in collaboration with the Jabatan Pertanian (Department of Agriculture) and Malaysian Mard conducting quality for the observations and evaluations to see the durability and marketability of SG1 pineapples in the farm. The purpose of the work visit was to see the diversity of SG1 pineapple products. The fruits will be distributed to entrepreneurs selling canned and fresh pineapples as well as pineapple processing industries in the peninsula. To find out how long SG1 can last in a cold room, during delivery and for export, we will conduct observations and experiments. Currently the demand for local pineapples from foreign countries is getting higher. However, the country is only able to produce more than 800 containers of pineapples compared to the international export demand of approximately 4,000 containers. SG1 pineapples could contribute to increasing the supply of pineapple exports due to the advantages of the variety as the short harvest period of nine months and the planting density of up to 22,000 trees in one acre in which doubles the production. SG1 is a rather unique variety that is ideal for export because of its shape and smaller crest, among other characteristics. MPIB has closely followed and guided the development of the SG1 variety here since the beginning of 2022 until today. In 2021, pineapple tendrils began to be developed and grown commercially in stages at Sungai Tukau Pineapple Plantation on a 10-hectare land by Syarikat TG Agro Fruits Sdn Bhd, an entrepreneur registered under MPIB Sarawak. The preparation session for the purpose of observing the export of SG1 pineapples to Peninsular Malaysia was conducted during the visit.

The local media of Borneo Post stated that 'Potential To Export SG-1 to Peninsular' started. Approximately 10.5 tonnes of the new SG1 pineapples from Sarawak are scheduled for shipment to Peninsular Malaysia. The new pineapple SG1 pineapple variety was discovered in Miri two years ago (during my tenure at MPIB and DOA) will be shipped on Monday (April 22) and is expected to reach Johor Port in Pasir Gudang two weeks later. The fruits will be placed in a refrigerated shipping container and kept at a controlled temperature (See photo above). This is important as it will allow us to know how long SG1 pineapples can remain fresh under such conditions. This will then allow us to know the marketability of the SG1 pineapples, especially for export purposes and once the pineapples reach the port. The three main features that make this new variety of pineapple unique claimed are first, the size of the plant is small in which allows for high-density planting that could produce higher yield. On top of that, it takes only about eight to nine months for the SG1 pineapples to mature and ready to be harvested. Other varieties take at least one year to reach that stage. Finally, the cylindrical shape of the fruits makes them ideal for processing and export. From the observation despite its uniqueness, the SG1 pineapple trade is still in the early stage and more needs to be done to promote it. The entry of SG1 pineapples into Peninsular Malaysia will open doors for the country's pineapple industry to reach greater heights. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist Expert,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(Febuary 2026).