PINEAPPLE IN MALAYSIA - WAY FOWARD (Part 2)

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a one of the most popular tropical fruits in Malaysia. It is categorized in a group of major fruit because that has a great potential to generate incomes for farmers, as well as countries. Its popularity is due to its multi-forms in consumption. Matured pineapples can be eaten fresh as dessert or salads; cooked as mostly found in local delicacies; or processed into juice and jams, among others. The juice from young pineapples is believed to be suitable for treatment of various diseases because it is rich in nutrients such as bromelain and vitamin A and B1. In addition, pineapple also contains citric acid that can effectively eliminate fat and help in reducing weight.

Malaysia's position in the world pineapple production has dropped to number 20 in 2018. However Malaysia still plays a major role in the world pineapple trade towards the fresh pineapple export. Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) in 2016 has reported that Malaysia exports about 20,278.9 tons of fresh pineapples to several countries and particularly to its traditional destination such as Singapore and followed by processed products such as canned pineapples (8,853.4 tons), pineapple slips (8,356.4 tons) and pineapple juice (1,461.6 metric tons) as reported by Ministry of Agriculture in 2015. The current pineapples export trend shows a potential to enter the new markets such as China and Europe with in addition to improve its existing markets in Singapore, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The promotion activity carried out by MPIB to promote fresh premium pineapple known as MD2. Other varieties include Josapine, N36 and few others. 

The prospects of the pineapple industry for the next 10 years is bright in line with the various strategies that have been identified and implemented to strengthen the value chain. Several policies intervention helped to achieve the self-sufficiency target, thus improving the income of local residents through programs that are executed either in the National Agricultural Policy (NAP), Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11thMP), Economic Transformation Program (ETP) and others. Programs and projects implemented by the Government seems to be effective and resulted with a stronger industry. The continuous explorations of new markets and attaining marketing efficiency from the existing ones as well as the production of downstream products have provided new opportunities for the huge pineapple markets. Therefore, policy interventions have an impact to promote the Malaysian pineapple industry globally. 

Malaysia's more than 2,000 pineapple farmers and plantation owners have been told to step up their game to meet an increased demand for the fruit crop in the Chinese market. It was the statement by Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) Director General Datuk Mohd Anim said Malaysian pineapples had become a new source of wealth for the country as its export value was expected to increase from RM155 million a year to RM320 million by 2020. He said China was among the newest export destinations for Malaysian pineapples, and there was still huge potential for Malaysia to tap into the big Chinese market. So far, Malaysia can only meet 10 per cent of the demand for pineapples in China. The consumer demand for Malaysian pineapples is there, and meeting the demand and quality standards of China is something not many countries are able to fulfill.  Malaysia only began exporting pineapples in a big way to China on Oct 12 this year. Since then, no less than 150 metric tonnes of pineapples are sent to China each week. He said penetrating the Chinese market remained a challenge, but this could be overcome if more industry players stepped forward to collaborate with the MPIB. Mohd Anim said on the local front, Malaysian consumption of pineapples had seen encouraging growth as the ratio of consumer to pineapple consumption increased from 1:10 five years ago to 1:14 now. The local pineapple farmers can earn about RM5,000 a month from every hectare cultivated. Farmers are also able to sell fresh pineapples at high prices as there are more hybrids of the fruit now. He said Johor remained the highest producer of pineapples as the state accounted for 68 per cent of the farming areas that cultivated the fruit. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomsit,

Precint 11, Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(29 JamadilAwal 1441H).