Latest news with #MinistryofPlantationandCommodities
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pepper prices on continuous uptrend this year
TAWAU: The local pepper industry recorded continuous price increases in the first seven months of this year, said Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin. He said the average price for black pepper has increased by 51 per cent to RM27,240 per tonne compared to RM18,066 per tonne last year. "Meanwhile, the average price for white pepper also increased by 43 per cent to RM37,407 per tonne compared to RM26,164 per tonne last year. "This encouraging pepper price trend is expected to persist until the third quarter of this year following the recent strengthening of the ringgit," he said when officiating at a pepper cultivation promotion programme here today. He said the pepper commodity is an economic resource generator for 39,449 pepper farmers in Malaysia who cultivate about 8,293 hectares of pepper. "The total includes 248 farmers in Sabah who cultivate 41 hectares of pepper plantation. I encourage more Sabahans to take the opportunity to get involved in pepper cultivation to increase their income. "I am of the view that the development of pepper cultivation in Sabah can be implemented by taking into account the advantages of the terrain and hilly topography suitable for pepper cultivation," he said. Chan said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities together with the Malaysian Pepper Board are committed and actively working to guide pepper cultivation entrepreneurs in this country, including through outreach programmes such as in-situ training and today's programme.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia CPO exports crucial to maintain global market share
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's crude palm oil (CPO) exports remain vital to sustaining the country's competitive edge in global markets, particularly against Indonesia. The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) emphasised that maintaining exports to key markets like India, Kenya, and the Netherlands is strategically important. 'Exports to these markets not only contribute to national revenue but are also strategically significant,' the ministry stated in a parliamentary reply. Processed palm oil (PPO) and palm-based products dominate Malaysia's export volumes compared to CPO. Official data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia revealed total palm oil exports in 2024 reached 15.39 million metric tonnes. CPO exports accounted for 3.69 million metric tonnes, valued at RM15.09 billion, while processed palm oil exports stood at 11.69 million metric tonnes, worth RM50.73 billion. Only 24 per cent of Malaysia's palm oil exports were in CPO form, reflecting a shift towards higher-value downstream products. Palm-based product exports surged to 14.80 million metric tonnes, valued at RM53.44 billion, up from 11.98 million metric tonnes (RM46.3 billion) in 2023. KPK noted this growth aligns with efforts to reduce dependency on CPO exports and boost value-added production. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia aims to expand cocoa cultivation to 10,000 hectares by 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) has set a target to expand Malaysia's cocoa cultivation area to 10,000 hectares by 2030. This initiative aims to meet rising demand for high-quality Malaysian cocoa, up from the current 5,985 hectares. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin highlighted the Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Programme as a key strategy. The programme, led by KPK and the Malaysian Cocoa Board, focuses on boosting cultivation through the plantation sector. Chan also announced an upcoming engagement programme in Tawau to promote cocoa farming in Sabah. He shared this during a Dewan Rakyat session in response to a question from Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau). Recent data shows dried cocoa bean prices surged by 141 per cent to RM24,274 per metric tonne in 2024. This marks a significant rise from RM10,073 in 2023, reflecting growing market demand. When asked about cocoa-based products, Chan emphasised KPK's focus on branding premium local cocoa. The ministry promotes single-origin and fine-flavoured cocoa to attract global chocolate makers. KPK also provides tailored support to farmers, including fertilisers and pest control measures. These efforts aim to enhance soil fertility and reduce crop losses from pests and diseases. The expansion plan aligns with Malaysia's goal to strengthen its position in the global cocoa market. Farmers will benefit from targeted assistance to sustain and grow their cocoa cultivation. The initiative underscores Malaysia's commitment to high-quality cocoa production and agricultural sustainability. With rising prices and demand, the sector presents new opportunities for local producers. The government's support aims to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness in the cocoa industry. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
KPK aims to expand cocoa cultivation to 10,000 hectares by 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) aims to expand the country's cocoa cultivation area to 10,000 hectares (ha) by 2030 from the current 5,985ha to meet the growing demand for high-quality Malaysian cocoa. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Programme is a strategic initiative by KPK and the Malaysian Cocoa Board to boost cocoa cultivation through the plantation sector. "Coincidentally, I will also be holding the Sabah Regional Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Engagement Programme in Tawau tomorrow,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) on the concrete measures taken by KPK to encourage cocoa cultivation in Sabah. According to Chan, data in 2024 showed that the average price of dried cocoa beans had increased by 141 per cent to RM24,274 per metric tonne from RM10,073 in 2023. In his reply to another supplementary question from Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) about KPK's policy on the production of cocoa-based products such as chocolate, Chan said the ministry has been branding and promoting premium local cocoa products as single-origin and fine-flavoured cocoa. "This approach enables cocoa producers to showcase the distinctive taste of locally grown cocoa, which can attract both local and international chocolate makers,' he added. According to Chan, KPK and the Malaysian Cocoa Board have been providing various forms of assistance to help farmers continue their cocoa cultivation on a case-by-case basis. This includes providing fertilisers to boost soil fertility and improve soil structure, as well as pesticides and disease-control agents to minimise crop losses due to attacks from pests and diseases. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia targets 10,000ha cocoa cultivation by 2030 to meet pent-up demand
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) aims to expand the country's cocoa cultivation area to 10,000 hectares (ha) by 2030 from the current 5,985ha to meet the growing demand for high-quality Malaysian cocoa. Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Programme is a strategic initiative by KPK and the Malaysian Cocoa Board to boost cocoa cultivation through the plantation sector. "Coincidentally, I will also be holding the Sabah Regional Cocoa Cultivation Promotion Engagement Programme in Tawau tomorrow," he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) on the concrete measures taken by KPK to encourage cocoa cultivation in Sabah. According to Chan, data in 2024 showed that the average price of dried cocoa beans had increased by 141 per cent to RM24,274 per metric tonne from RM10,073 in 2023. In his reply to another supplementary question from Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) about KPK's policy on the production of cocoa-based products such as chocolate, Chan said the ministry has been branding and promoting premium local cocoa products as single-origin and fine-flavoured cocoa. "This approach enables cocoa producers to showcase the distinctive taste of locally grown cocoa, which can attract both local and international chocolate makers," he added. According to Chan, KPK and the Malaysian Cocoa Board have been providing various forms of assistance to help farmers continue their cocoa cultivation on a case-by-case basis. This includes providing fertilisers to boost soil fertility and improve soil structure, as well as pesticides and disease-control agents to minimise crop losses due to attacks from pests and diseases.
