Malaysian pepper is ranked the fourth largest pepper producer within the International Pepper Community (IPC) member countries, Malaysia is spotlighting its sustainable initiatives and pepper products at Expo 2020 towards expanding into new markets across the region.
“Malaysia Pepper Board is seeking new opportunities to penetrate new markets in the Middle East, and expand its presence in current markets like Japan, China and Korea. This in turn will increase the value of Malaysian pepper which can benefit the pepper industry and country economy as a whole,” said Asmah Morshidi, assistant director of Malaysia Pepper Board Assistant Director.
By participating in Malaysia Pavilion’s Sustainable Agricommodities (Food Agricommodities) Week at Expo 2020 Dubai, MPB aims to increase the global visibility and availability of the high-quality Sarawak Pepper, and ultimately increase its demand.
Nearly 98% of Malaysian pepper is produced in Sarawak, with whole black pepper as the most popular export accounting for nearly 70%. The remaining 30% of exports consists of white pepper, green pepper in brine, and value-added pepper which are pepper products that have higher value than normal pepper as they go under a more detailed process from grading, colour sorting, sterilisation, lab testing, and quality control.
The black pepper industry contributed USD581 million (RM2.434 billion) to the nation’s income in 2020 and providing a livelihood for thousands of pepper farmers across Malaysia.
“Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity for MPB to discuss new products, import regulations, consumption trends, quality control and offer trade deals to existing and prospective buyers,” Malaysian Pepper Board researcher Dr. Khew Choy Yuen said.
In the Expo, the MPB researchers will also speak on various new technologies developed including new R&D products to enhance flowering in black pepper, sustainable organic pepper farming practices and crop improvement to increase the economic value of black pepper.
Value-added pepper products produced by SMEs and premium pepper such as Creamy White Pepper will also be highlighted during the Expo.
