M’sia set to remain among top five pepper producers

KUCHING: Malaysia is expected to produce 31,000 tonnes of pepper this year, sealing its position as one of the product’s top five producers globally.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong said 17,100ha would be planted with pepper plants.

He added that exports were primed to reach 15,000 tonnes this year, from 12,199 tonnes in 2016. Japan remains the top export market at 1,580 tonnes or 27% of the export total.

“We will continue to invest in research and development, introduce advance technology in farming and encourage smallholders to increase production to push the pepper industry to a higher level,” Mah said when opening the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) 10th anniversary celebration and Pesta Lada 2017 here yesterday.

Last year, the country exported RM490mil worth of pepper-based products, mainly to Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.