KUALA LUMPUR, October 5, 2026 — The government is stepping up efforts to expand the production and export of high-value agricultural commodities, particularly pineapples and durians, as part of measures to strengthen Malaysia’s food security and reduce reliance on imports.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the move would help increase export earnings while narrowing the country’s food trade deficit.
He said pineapple and durian exports had recorded encouraging growth, with pineapple exports tripling over the past three years.
He added that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on durian exports signed during the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) was expected to generate more than RM1 billion in additional value.
Mohamad said the government was also addressing price competition faced by local vegetable producers, particularly those affected by cheaper imported produce.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), he said, had introduced measures including the Cost of Assurance (COA) mechanism for selected food imports, particularly vegetables from China, to help safeguard local producers.
He said the ministry was also working with state governments to identify suitable land for agricultural activities, including livestock farming, vegetable cultivation and grain corn production.
Mohamad said stronger cooperation between the Federal and state governments would be crucial in expanding domestic food production and improving the competitiveness of Malaysia’s agri-food sector.
-Bernama
