Pepper industry needs to boost quality, not quantity, says Noraini

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, urged the pepper industry to focus on improving product quality rather than increasing output to boost farmers’ incomes. The government plans to expand premium pepper cultivation under the Pepper Planting Sustainability Programme, aiming to enhance value and competitiveness in international markets such as Japan, Vietnam, and Scandinavia.

BETONG — Malaysia’s pepper industry should prioritize enhancing product quality over increasing output to improve farmers’ earnings, said Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Minister of Plantation and Commodities. Addressing a seminar on the sustainability of the pepper sector on Thursday, she stressed that success in the agro-commodity industry should not be measured solely by production volume.

Dr Noraini highlighted Malaysia’s competitive advantage in the premium international market through the unique quality and identity of Sarawak pepper. Between 2022 and May 2023, Malaysia exported 12.8 tonnes of Cream White Pepper valued at RM1.024 million to countries including Japan and Vietnam, with additional demand emerging from Scandinavian markets.

“When the quality meets market demands, the country’s pepper can be marketed at a higher value,” she said, underscoring the importance of product quality to market positioning and profitability.

The minister outlined plans under the national Pepper Planting Sustainability Programme, which targets the expansion of premium pepper cultivation by 750 hectares. This initiative is separate from the management of 800 hectares of mature pepper plants. The focus will be on increasing yield, improving quality, and ultimately raising farmers’ income.

Sarawak, which accounts for nearly all of Malaysia’s pepper cultivation area, is poised to play a critical role in the industry’s future. Dr Noraini called for strengthened collaboration between the federal government and Sarawak authorities to support this growth.

In Betong alone, approximately 5,070 farmers cultivate 1,102.8 hectares of pepper, making it a vital economic activity for local communities. Dr Noraini also emphasized the need to adopt advanced technology and enhance premium pepper production to sustain and expand the sector.

These initiatives reflect a strategic shift by the government to develop the pepper industry beyond volume-driven growth, focusing instead on value creation to benefit producers and capture higher-value markets abroad.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.