Latest news with #MalaysianPineappleIndustryBoard
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Strategic push for pineapple industry expansion in Sarawak gains momentum
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) has announced that the pineapple cultivation and production area in Sarawak now stands at 2,450 hectares. LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said that to realise the Sarawak government's target of expanding pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2030, comprehensive cooperation from various parties was required. 'LPNM will continue to support and contribute in any way we can to help achieve this goal. We need to establish annual growth projections that must be met to expand pineapple cultivation,' he said at a press conference after the signing of the Kenyalang Pineapple Sarawak Project agreement between JG Sarava Sdn Bhd and Mate Clove Sdn Bhd at the LPNM headquarters, here today. Sheikh Umar said LPNM welcomed the strategic initiative, which aimed not only to scale up pineapple cultivation in Sarawak but also to encourage active participation from industry players. Meanwhile, JG Sarava Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Jeyarajan Sri Ramalu said the partnership inked today involved an initial investment of up to RM150 million to explore opportunities in developing the pineapple industry, which had high potential in the state. He said the project currently involves the cultivation of a pineapple plantation with a target area of 1,000 hectares, covering areas such as Bintangor, Pulau Bunut, and Kampung Lebaan. 'We have also identified other areas like Dalat, Oya and Debak, which are undergoing land clearing for cultivation. Mate Clove has already started work in these planting zones,' he said. He added that the project also focused on developing a nursery to overcome the shortage of pineapple slips (sulur) required for large-scale planting and aimed to expand cultivation to 12,000 hectares in the long term. In December 2023, the media reported that the Sarawak government planned to increase the pineapple plantation acreage in the state to 20,000 hectares by 2030.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak aims for 20,000 hectares of pineapple plantations
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) has announced that the pineapple cultivation and production area in Sarawak now stands at 2,450 hectares. LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said that to realise the Sarawak government's target of expanding pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2030, comprehensive cooperation from various parties was required. 'LPNM will continue to support and contribute in any way we can to help achieve this goal. We need to establish annual growth projections that must be met to expand pineapple cultivation,' he said at a press conference after the signing of the Kenyalang Pineapple Sarawak Project agreement between JG Sarava Sdn Bhd and Mate Clove Sdn Bhd at the LPNM headquarters, here today. Sheikh Umar said LPNM welcomed the strategic initiative, which aimed not only to scale up pineapple cultivation in Sarawak but also to encourage active participation from industry players. Meanwhile, JG Sarava Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Jeyarajan Sri Ramalu said the partnership inked today involved an initial investment of up to RM150 million to explore opportunities in developing the pineapple industry, which had high potential in the state. He said the project currently involves the cultivation of a pineapple plantation with a target area of 1,000 hectares, covering areas such as Bintangor, Pulau Bunut, and Kampung Lebaan. 'We have also identified other areas like Dalat, Oya and Debak, which are undergoing land clearing for cultivation. Mate Clove has already started work in these planting zones,' he said. He added that the project also focused on developing a nursery to overcome the shortage of pineapple slips (sulur) required for large-scale planting and aimed to expand cultivation to 12,000 hectares in the long term. In December 2023, the media reported that the Sarawak government planned to increase the pineapple plantation acreage in the state to 20,000 hectares by 2030.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
SST expansion helps protect local fruit industry
PONTIAN: The government's initiative to expand the scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) by imposing a five per cent sales tax on all imported fruits has been described by pineapple growers in Johor as a proactive move to protect the local fruit industry. Pineapple farmer Mohammad Anal Talhah, 53, said the initiative would encourage a shift in consumer demand for local fruits with the lower prices, including pineapples, especially for the premium MD2 variety, which is widely grown commercially. He said the move also sends a 'signal' to growers to expand their plantations to meet rising demand while simultaneously encouraging more young people to venture into agriculture. 'I don't think having more growers would reduce demand — pineapples have never been in oversupply. There is always demand but that demand is somewhat 'dampened' when competing with the price of imported fruits,' he told Bernama at his pineapple plantation in Kampung Parit Haji Osman here. With over 30 years of experience in the pineapple industry, Mohammad Anal — who started with just 0.4 hectares (ha) growing pineapples and now owns 94 ha — also exports them to other countries, including Singapore, where they are also taxed. 'They impose taxes on us, so why shouldn't imported fruits entering our country be taxed too?' he asked, adding that he could barely keep up with the local and international demand. Johor is Malaysia's largest pineapple producer, with 10,366.6 ha and a production volume of 280,878 tonnes. This accounts for 63.7 per cent of Malaysia's total pineapple output, valued at RM682.53 million. Of the total 18,275.71 ha of pineapple cultivation in Malaysia, over 10,000 ha are located in Johor, with Kluang and Pontian districts dominating production. Ariffin Ali, 51, a grower of Morris and Josapine pineapples from Kampung Parit Haji Alias, said the government's move is viewed as encouraging consumers to switch to more affordable local fruits. The initiative also positions local produce to be more competitive in terms of pricing, ultimately benefiting farmers and growers. 'In my view, this is the right time to implement the SST expansion. Besides encouraging the use of local products, it can also help farmers and fruit growers to ensure their produce has a place in the local market,' he said. Meanwhile, MD2 pineapple grower Firdaus Sapari, 39, who cultivates 16 ha in Batu Pahat, agreed that the SST expansion would give local fruit growers 'breathing space' again if demand for local fruits rises. He said currently, local fruit growers, including pineapple farmers, set prices based on agricultural input costs such as fertilisers, besides other expenses like land rental and labour. He added that consumers tend to shift away from local options when imported fruits are sold at lower prices. This discourages farmers, who face challenges in continuing crop maintenance due to rising operating costs and market instability. The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said the expansion of the SST should be viewed positively as a protective measure for the local fruit industry, and giving consumers the alternative to prioritise local products. 'I've been informed that neighboring countries have similar policies in place to protect their agricultural industries, such as imposing high taxes on foreign fruits and agricultural products to develop their domestic agriculture,' he said. He added that once the SST is imposed on imported fruits, consumers will shift to local options due to lower prices, which in turn would encourage small-scale growers to expand their farms and increase productivity. Sheikh Umar Bagharib said this positive development would also create a multiplier effect by stimulating downstream sectors like pineapple juice processing, snack production, and pineapple-based cosmetics. It would not only create job opportunities but also add value to the country's exports. 'Data from the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) targeted pineapple farmers to earn RM5,000 per month, but by the end of 11MP, more than 70 per cent had exceeded that target. 'The target is RM8,000 per month under the 12MP, but unofficial data showed that some were already earning more, with some of them earning RM10,000 a month,' he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
SST scope expansion a boost to national pineapple industry
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) is optimistic that the reviewed and expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), which comes into effect on July 1, 2025, will positively impact the growth of the national pineapple industry. Its chairman, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, said the initiative will not only increase national revenue but also create vast opportunities for the development and strengthening of the local fruit industry, particularly pineapples. He said that as one of the country's main fruit commodities, pineapples have great potential, and the board foresees several positive effects that will support the industry's growth. 'This initiative can increase demand for local pineapples such as the MD2 variety, thus allowing farmers and local entrepreneurs to expand cultivation areas and boost their production. 'Additionally, the higher demand will have a positive impact on farm and market prices of pineapples, thereby improving returns for small-scale growers, young agropreneurs, and agricultural cooperatives actively involved in the sector,' he said in a statement today. Sheikh Umar added that the move will also stimulate downstream sectors such as pineapple juice processing, snack products, and pineapple-based cosmetics, which will not only create job opportunities but also add export value for the country. 'Increased demand is expected to attract new investments in smart farming technologies, collection centres, packaging, as well as more efficient logistics and distribution systems, especially in major production areas like Johor, Pahang, Sarawak, and Sabah. 'This is because the SST expansion on imported fruits indirectly places local pineapples in a more competitive position in terms of price and quality,' he said. Sheikh Umar noted that support for national food security will contribute to long-term goals of reducing dependence on food imports and improving self-sufficiency levels in the fruit sector. 'The effects of this SST expansion will not significantly impact imported fruit traders. 'The country's improving economic conditions will also benefit them over the longer term,' he said. On Monday (June 9), the government announced a targeted review of the Sales Tax rate and the expansion of the Service Tax scope, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The Sales Tax rate remains unchanged for essential goods, while non-essential items will be taxed at either 5 per cent or 10 per cent, subject to discretion.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
LPNM: SST expansion to boost pineapple industry growth
JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) is optimistic that the reviewed and expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), which comes into effect on July 1, 2025, will positively impact the growth of the national pineapple industry. Its chairman, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, said the initiative will not only increase national revenue but also create vast opportunities for the development and strengthening of the local fruit industry, particularly pineapples. He said that as one of the country's main fruit commodities, pineapples have great potential, and the board foresees several positive effects that will support the industry's growth. 'This initiative can increase demand for local pineapples such as the MD2 variety, thus allowing farmers and local entrepreneurs to expand cultivation areas and boost their production. 'Additionally, the higher demand will have a positive impact on farm and market prices of pineapples, thereby improving returns for small-scale growers, young agropreneurs, and agricultural cooperatives actively involved in the sector,' he said in a statement today. Sheikh Umar added that the move will also stimulate downstream sectors such as pineapple juice processing, snack products, and pineapple-based cosmetics, which will not only create job opportunities but also add export value for the country. 'Increased demand is expected to attract new investments in smart farming technologies, collection centres, packaging, as well as more efficient logistics and distribution systems, especially in major production areas like Johor, Pahang, Sarawak, and Sabah. 'This is because the SST expansion on imported fruits indirectly places local pineapples in a more competitive position in terms of price and quality,' he said. Sheikh Umar noted that support for national food security will contribute to long-term goals of reducing dependence on food imports and improving self-sufficiency levels in the fruit sector. 'The effects of this SST expansion will not significantly impact imported fruit traders. 'The country's improving economic conditions will also benefit them over the longer term,' he said. On Monday (June 9), the government announced a targeted review of the Sales Tax rate and the expansion of the Service Tax scope, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The Sales Tax rate remains unchanged for essential goods, while non-essential items will be taxed at either 5 per cent or 10 per cent, subject to discretion.
