Kuala lumpur: A total of 14 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth RM1.49 billion were signed at the opening of MAHA Trade Days 2026 today, reflecting investors' confidence in the potential and prospects of Malaysia's agri-food sector. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that his party is targeting about RM8 billion in investment and trade commitments over the three days of MAHA Trade Days, which are part of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad expressed satisfaction, saying, "Alhamdulillah, investor confidence in the food industry and those related to food is getting better. We have achieved RM1.49 billion of the RM8 billion target." He emphasized the hope for greater international presence of Malaysian agro-food products in the future while speaking to the media after witnessing the MoU signings.
Moreover, Mohamad highlighted the goal of marketing every agro-food product globally through enhanced industry collaboration. He remarked, "God willing, this time there are Malaysian products at the global level, but we want to highlight them again so that the marketing of Malaysian-made products, especially those related to food, to other countries is higher." He underscored the focus on fostering better cooperation with Africa, recognizing its current development trajectory.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has identified coffee, cocoa, pineapple, and durian products as promising candidates for global marketing. Mohamad noted, "I see that coffee processed in Malaysia is already widespread in the world and needs to be improved. That is one of them; the others are pineapple, durian, and everything else that is already available."
A statement from KPKM announced that the signed MoUs cover various strategic agro-food sub-sectors, including agricultural inputs, production and processing of agricultural products, the livestock industry, halal food products, pineapple development, and technology and capacity development. Notable collaborations include the development of a pineapple processing plant in Tukau, Miri, Sarawak worth RM1.03 billion and strategic partnerships in agricultural product production and distribution, high-tech broiler farm capacity expansion, and special fertilizers for pineapple plants.
MAHA Trade Days 2026 is expected to catalyze more business matches, investment opportunities, technology collaborations, and new market access, thereby supporting efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the Malaysian agro-food industry and increase the presence of local products globally. The three-day event has attracted nearly 2,000 exhibitors with export-ready products and 40 international buyers, including wholesalers, distributors, and retailers from various international markets.