KUCHING: Malaysia’s pepper industry continues to record positive growth despite facing challenges such as volatile global prices, intense international competition, strict food safety standards, and the impact of climate change.
Plantation and Commodities Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, said pepper production for 2025 is projected to reach 32,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year, reflecting sustained confidence in the sector’s resilience and long-term potential.
“From 2021 to October 2025, Malaysia exported 29,624 metric tonnes of pepper with a total value of RM824.10 million, highlighting the commodity’s strong performance in the international market,” she said in her speech, which was read by Deputy Secretary-General (Plantation and Commodities), Datuk Razali Mohamad, at the Malaysia Pepper Conference and Expo 2025 (MAPEC 2025) at the Kuching Waterfront today.
Noraini added that the sector has also made a significant contribution to the national economy.
“Between 2021 and September 2025, the pepper industry contributed approximately RM10.71 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), out of a total RM405.71 billion generated by the overall commodity sector.
“The industry’s growth is further supported by the diversification of pepper usage beyond traditional food products. In addition to food items such as sauces and instant spices, pepper is now increasingly used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries,” she said.
She added that about 30 to 40 per cent of local pepper production is consumed domestically, driven by growing demand and the implementation of downstream development programmes by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB).
On government support, Noraini said the federal government had allocated RM99.1 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to develop the pepper industry across the entire value chain, from upstream cultivation to downstream activities.
“Of the total allocation, 95 per cent was channelled to Sarawak, reflecting the state’s position as Malaysia’s main pepper producer and its central role in shaping the future direction of the industry,” she said.
Looking ahead, she said the government, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), aims to further strengthen the sector by targeting the expansion of 1,500 hectares of premium pepper cultivation and the improved management of 2,000 hectares of mature pepper farms nationwide.
“These efforts are crucial to ensuring the sustainability, competitiveness and continued growth of Malaysia’s pepper industry, particularly in maintaining its standing in premium global markets,” she added.
“From 2021 to October 2025, Malaysia exported 29,624 metric tonnes of pepper with a total value of RM824.10 million, highlighting the commodity’s strong performance in the international market,” she said in her speech, which was read by Deputy Secretary-General (Plantation and Commodities), Datuk Razali Mohamad, at the Malaysia Pepper Conference and Expo 2025 (MAPEC 2025) at the Kuching Waterfront today.
Noraini added that the sector has also made a significant contribution to the national economy.
“Between 2021 and September 2025, the pepper industry contributed approximately RM10.71 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), out of a total RM405.71 billion generated by the overall commodity sector.
“The industry’s growth is further supported by the diversification of pepper usage beyond traditional food products. In addition to food items such as sauces and instant spices, pepper is now increasingly used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries,” she said.
She added that about 30 to 40 per cent of local pepper production is consumed domestically, driven by growing demand and the implementation of downstream development programmes by the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB).
On government support, Noraini said the federal government had allocated RM99.1 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to develop the pepper industry across the entire value chain, from upstream cultivation to downstream activities.
“Of the total allocation, 95 per cent was channelled to Sarawak, reflecting the state’s position as Malaysia’s main pepper producer and its central role in shaping the future direction of the industry,” she said.
Looking ahead, she said the government, under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), aims to further strengthen the sector by targeting the expansion of 1,500 hectares of premium pepper cultivation and the improved management of 2,000 hectares of mature pepper farms nationwide.
“These efforts are crucial to ensuring the sustainability, competitiveness and continued growth of Malaysia’s pepper industry, particularly in maintaining its standing in premium global markets,” she added.