Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin (fourth from right) officiating the Malaysian Pepper Campaign at a mall here in Kulai.
KULAI: Malaysia ranks as the fifth-largest producer of pepper among member countries of the International Pepper Community (IPC), says Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Chan said that 49% of the country's pepper exports go to Japan, making it the largest export destination for this commodity.
"Japan is known for its emphasis on quality, and the fact that 49% of our pepper exports go there shows that our pepper is recognised by the international community.
"Admittedly, we cannot compete with regional countries on price, as nations like Vietnam offer cheaper prices. However, they cannot match the quality of pepper we produce," he said at a press conference during the Malaysian Pepper Campaign.
He added that the country's pepper exports saw an increase of about 24% last year compared to 2023.
"Last year, the total value of the country's pepper exports amounted to RM186.67mil for less than 6,000 metric tonnes.
"Although the quantity of pepper is small, the export value is high. This is why the Malaysia Pepper Board hopes to expand cultivation beyond Sarawak to other parts of Malaysia, especially Johor," he said.
