Kuala lumpur: A total of eight companies are engaged in pepper cultivation activities nationwide, covering an area of approximately 55 hectares, as stated by Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) has set a new target for pepper planting of 300 hectares this year, involving an estimated 1,200 farmers. Currently, MPB is assisting around 1,400 farmers in managing and maintaining mature pepper crops across 350 hectares. This was conveyed during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, where Huang was responding to Datuk Larry Soon @ Larry Sng Wei Shien's inquiries regarding MPB's strategies to enhance the number of new pepper growers and boost national pepper production.
Huang highlighted MPB's efforts in strengthening research and development activities by focusing on fertigation systems and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to sustainably increase pepper output. Additionally, MPB is intensifying developmental activities such as courses, training, and technology transfer aimed at enhancing farmers' skills and competencies, alongside promoting certification under the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) scheme.
Addressing a supplementary question on Malaysia's competitive stance against Vietnam in the international pepper market, Huang noted Malaysia's limited production scale compared to Vietnam. Malaysia's smallholders manage about 8,234 hectares, whereas Vietnam boasts over 100,000 hectares dedicated to pepper cultivation.
Huang pointed out that the cost of pepper production in Malaysia is higher, particularly due to agricultural input and labour costs. The Malaysian black pepper price currently ranges from US$9,000 to US$9,700 per metric tonne, significantly higher than Vietnam's price of around US$6,500 to US$6,700 per metric tonne, impacting Malaysia's competitiveness in a price-sensitive international market.
However, Huang emphasized Malaysia's advantage in producing high-quality pepper, particularly Sarawak pepper, known for its aroma, consistent piperine content, and compliance with stringent food safety standards. He suggested that Malaysia should focus on producing premium-quality pepper, strengthening the Malaysian pepper brand, and exploring high-value niche markets to enhance export value rather than competing on price and quantity.
To support the Plantation and Commodities Ministry's goal of expanding pepper exports, Huang announced that the ministry, through MPB, has approved a project to upgrade the pepper processing centre at the Peninsular Malaysia Regional Office in Johor. The project aims to produce high-quality, export-grade pepper products, with the processing plant having a capacity of one metric tonne per hour. The facility's development is expected to boost the use of local pepper in both domestic and international markets, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and completion anticipated by the end of 2029.
Earlier, the government approved an allocation of RM16 million for the Pepper Farming Sustainability Programme this year under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan. This initiative is aimed at implementing new planting schemes focused on premium pepper production and assisting farmers in cultivating pepper sustainably and competitively.