SERDANG: A total of 14 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth RM1.49bil were signed at the opening of Maha Trade Days 2026, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said this reflected investors’ confidence in the potential and prospects of the nation’s agri-food sector.
“Investor confidence in the food industry and related sectors is improving. We have reached RM1.49bil of the RM8bil target.
“We hope that Malaysian agro-food products will gain a stronger presence in international markets in the future,” he told the media after witnessing the signing of the MOUs at Maha Trade Days 2026 yesterday.
He added that the ministry is targeting about RM8bil in investment and trade commitments during the three-day event, held in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (Maha) Exhibition 2026.
Among the high-value collaborations recorded is the development of a pineapple processing plant in Tukau, Miri, Sarawak, worth RM1.03bil.
The MOUs also include strategic collaborations in the production and distribution of agricultural products, the expansion of high-tech broiler farm capacity, and the development of specialised fertilisers for pineapple plants.
The three-day programme brought together nearly 2,000 exhibitors with export-ready products, as well as 40 international buyers comprising wholesalers, distributors and retailers from various international markets.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said his ministry wants to see locally produced agricultural products marketed globally through closer collaboration with the industry.
Although Malaysian products are already available in international markets, Mohamad said greater focus should be placed on marketing food-related products.
“This includes our efforts to foster better cooperation in Africa.
“We know that Africa is currently developing, and we will also focus on that.”
He noted that coffee, cocoa, pineapple and durian products are among the food products identified as having potential in the global market.
On Maha 2026, Mohamad said the exhibition held at Maeps had recorded about 1.5 million visitors and direct sales of almost RM8.7mil as of Monday.
The exhibition, which ends on Sept 6, is targeting a sales value of at least RM58mil and attendance of over four million visitors.
