Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) aims to increase Malaysia's premium pepper production to 39,000 tonnes by 2030, compared to an estimated 33,000 tonnes in 2026, said Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii. He stated that this initiative is part of efforts to reduce the country's dependence on raw pepper exports and to strengthen the development of high-quality downstream products.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry plans to implement this market transition in stages under the action plan for the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) from 2026 to 2030. Although no specific percentage target has been set for the reduction in raw pepper exports, there is a clear production target in place. This was discussed during the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat, where Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii responded to a supplementary question from Dato Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri (GPS-Betong) about reducing reliance on raw pepper exports and focusing on high-impact downstream products.

The Deputy Minister also mentioned that nine pepper-based research and development (R and D) projects have been identified for potential transfer, commercialisation, or licensing to industry players from 2026 to 2030. To support these efforts, the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) has received RM45.83 million under the 13MP Rolling Plan 1 in 2026 to implement development programmes, including the establishment of the National Pepper Industry Research and Development Centre, valued at RM20 million, as an integrated downstream R and D hub.

The ministry is committed to accelerating the commercialisation of R and D results through collaboration with micro, small, and medium enterprises. To date, 1,153 entrepreneurs have been trained through 53 entrepreneurial training programmes, resulting in the development and marketing of 228 pepper-based retail products. Moreover, machinery assistance worth RM590,000 has been distributed to 42 entrepreneurs to enhance the production capacity of downstream products.

MPB has also strengthened collaboration through a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Institute from 2023 to 2028, and there is a proposed collaboration with Ajinomoto Malaysia Bhd to explore the potential of functional food flavour products.