The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) is pushing for wider adoption of the Sarawak Gold-1 (SG-1) pineapple variety across Peninsular Malaysia, including Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Pahang, and plans to introduce it to Melaka. About 500 hectares of SG-1 have been planted so far in these regions [1, 2].
The SG-1 variety was brought from Taiwan to Miri, Sarawak in December 2022 and has been officially registered by Malaysia's Department of Agriculture [1, 2]. It matures in nine months, significantly faster than the 14 to 16 months needed for the popular MD2 variety. MPIB Director-General Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh said, "The SG-1 variety has a shorter maturation period of nine months compared to 14 to 16 months for the MD2 variety, so it can be harvested quicker to help increase planters' income" [2].
SG-1 also supports planting densities of 20,000 to 25,000 plants per 0.4 hectare, compared with 15,000 to 17,000 plants for MD2. This allows a considerable boost in production output [1, 2]. The fruit's quality matches MD2 but with higher sweetness, making it suitable both for fresh consumption and processing [1, 2]. MPIB targets around 60% of SG-1 production to supply the processing industry, which accounts for about 70% of Malaysia's pineapple export value, historically around RM1.4 billion [1, 2].
In Melaka, pineapple cultivation area rose 142% since 2021, reaching 125.7 hectares across 197 registered entrepreneurs under MPIB. Alor Gajah leads in cultivation with 67.1 hectares, followed by Jasin with 59.4 hectares and Melaka Tengah with 7.2 hectares [3]. Melaka Rural Development Chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said, "The pineapple industry in Melaka has tremendous potential to continue expanding, not only through the production of fresh fruit but also in agro-based products, processing, exports and agro-tourism" [3]. Farmers in Melaka can obtain one-year Temporary Occupation Licences for state land at no cost to support pineapple farm expansion [3].
A joint urban agro-tourism project called the MPIB-MBMB Bromeliad Garden opened recently in Melaka, linking heritage, nature and agriculture [1, 2, 3]. MPIB will open a new Melaka office in August 2026 to better serve local pineapple growers and entrepreneurs [3].
Construction is underway on a RM12.5 million pineapple processing plant in Sungai Tukau, Miri, Sarawak to boost downstream processing capacity, funded by a 30:70 matching grant with RM4 million from the federal government and RM8.5 million from the private sector [4]. Expected to handle five tonnes of fresh pineapples per hour, the plant will produce three tonnes per hour of canned pineapple and juice combined [4]. At full capacity, it aims to produce 4.9 million cans and 1.64 million bottles annually, valued at RM37.76 million [4]. MPIB expects the facility to create employment, ensure a stable market for growers, reduce post-harvest losses and encourage farm expansion [4].
Sarawak has been identified as a key growth state for pineapple cultivation, with planting area targeted to grow from 2,450.9 hectares today to 20,000 hectares by 2030 under state and federal plans, according to MPIB Director-General Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh [4].
A site visit to the Miri processing plant took place on June 27-28, 2026 [4]. The handover of the MPIB Melaka office keys and opening ceremony of the MPIB-MBMB Bromeliad Garden occurred on June 29 or 30, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The new Melaka MPIB office will open officially in August 2026 [3].
