LPNM Records RM2.3 Bln Potential Pineapple Investments At MAHA 2026

SERDANG, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) recorded potential investments worth more than RM2.3 billion through memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed during the 10-day Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, which ended yesterday.

LPNM director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh said the figure represented more than 25 per cent of the RM8 billion investment target set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) through MAHA 2026.

He said the achievement was driven by a new industry development strategy focusing on downstream processing and high-value products in line with market demand.

“This includes an innovative natural sweetener made from pineapple extracts of the SG1 and MD2 varieties to replace sugar and stevia, specifically for the health market,” he told Bernama.

The product was developed through market-driven research involving LPNM, researchers and industry players from the early stages.

Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) LPNM will continue focusing on increasing the productivity and value of the pineapple industry, as export supplies remain limited despite the country’s pineapple self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) reaching 102 per cent.

Mohd Khairuzamri said Malaysia produces more than 500,000 tonnes of pineapples annually from about 20,000 hectares of cultivated land, but limited land in the peninsula means technology and new varieties must be adopted to raise yields.

“We cannot increase production by expanding the cultivated area or opening up new areas because land in the peninsula is limited. Instead, we are introducing technology that allows us to achieve significantly higher production on the same amount of land.

“For example, the SG1 variety can be planted at a higher density and has a shorter cultivation period. It can produce up to 30 tonnes per acre, compared with about 20 to 25 tonnes for varieties such as MD2,” he said.

He added that Malaysia would focus on premium-quality pineapples that offer higher returns for growers rather than compete with the Philippines and Indonesia on production volume.

Meanwhile, LPNM is also seeking to attract younger generations through the 2026 Pineapple Innovation Exhibition and Competition (Pinovas), with the final scheduled for Nov 4 and 5.

Mohd Khairuzamri said the programme had received 44 entries from secondary schools nationwide and continued the School Pineapple Excellence Project, which exposes students to pineapple cultivation using the polybag fertigation method before encouraging them to develop food and non-food products from crop waste.

The Pinovas final will feature 10 finalists selected through a screening process.

He said the pineapple industry should no longer be viewed as a side activity, given its potential to drive economic growth and boost national exports.

“Pineapples may not be like rice, which is consumed every day, but growing pineapples provides people with an income, enabling them to earn enough to support their livelihoods and achieve food security,” he said.

-- BERNAMA