From Agricultural Produce To Smart Tech, International Pavilion Enlivens MAHA 2026

By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi

SERDANG, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- From agricultural produce and traditional food to artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the agricultural sector, 14 international pavilions at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism Exhibition 2026 (MAHA 2026) are drawing visitors' attention with the variety of products and innovations on display.

A survey by Bernama revealed that each pavilion showcases its own distinct identity and charm, highlighting not only agricultural produce, but also ready-to-eat meals, fruit-based beverages, textiles, handicrafts, traditional delicacies, and agricultural technology.

Kenya, the only African nation participating in MAHA 2026, is making its debut in this year’s edition by showcasing various agricultural products with potential for introduction and marketing in Malaysia, including herbs such as mint, thyme, tarragon, and rosemary.

In addition, fresh vegetables such as chives, snow peas, green beans, beetroot, baby corn, and baby carrots, alongside coffee and tea, were also on display.

Represented by Al-Radwan, the Palestinian Pavilion drew crowd as early as 10 am with its range of Palestinian agricultural items, notably premium low-sugar Medjool dates and za'atar—a traditional mix of herbs, sesame, and spices.

At the Thailand Pavilion, coconut nectar vinegar-based products, which offer a range of health benefits, also attracted visitors’ attention, while the South Korea Pavilion introduced five new halal products for the Malaysian market made from soybeans, honey, fruit juices and wheat.

Meanwhile, the Uzbekistan Pavilion, represented by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, showcased canned ready-to-eat meals, including the traditional Central Asian dish Palov, as well as fruits, vegetables, tea, spices, fertilisers, handicrafts and traditional garments.

Elsewhere, the Russian Pavilion featured turkey products with halal certification and slaughter inspection by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), alongside chocolates, sauces, and jams.

Japan's pavilion presented black tea, mushrooms, bakery and dairy items, and smart agritech solutions, whereas the Hungarian Pavilion showcased the nation's unique culinary and cultural heritage.

The International Country Pavilion Exhibition is one of the MAHA Go Global initiatives, bringing together 14 foreign exhibitors from the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Thailand and Palestine at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in this year’s edition.

MAHA 2026 is also targeting a potential RM8 billion in memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and a sales value of RM58 million.

The biennial event, which runs from Aug 28 to Sept 6, was launched on Friday by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

-- BERNAMA