SOURCE: Khoo Gek San, The Star
Malaysia’s fruit sector is undergoing significant shifts, with some varieties thriving on strong export demand while others face declines due to land pressures, pests and climate change.
Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said production trends are shaped by market demand, labour and input costs, export opportunities, land availability and government incentives.
“To strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global fruit market, we are prioritising the cultivation of high-potential crops such as durian, jackfruit, cempedak, papaya, banana and watermelon,” she said.
Nor Sam noted that fruits like pineapple, guava and durian have recorded strong growth in recent years.
Pineapple production in particular has surged, fuelled by demand for the premium MD2 variety, which is highly sought after both locally and abroad.
Guava and durian production have also expanded, supported by rising domestic consumption and strong export interest, especially from China.
Malaysia gained fresh access to the Chinese market for whole durian in June 2024, a move Nor Sam described as a “game changer” for the industry.
“This development has opened up new revenue streams for growers and is already spurring increased production to meet demand.”
Other fruits, including watermelon, mangosteen and jackfruit, have seen moderate growth, while banana and rambutan output has remained steady.
However, not all fruits have fared as well, as papaya and starfruit have declined sharply.
Papaya yields have been hit by pests and diseases, especially the papaya ringspot virus and dieback disease, while starfruit farming has been discouraged by high costs and poor profitability.
Nor Sam pointed to several common challenges facing the fruit sector such as urbanisation and the conversion of agricultural land for industrial and residential use, that are reducing the land available for farming.
“At the same time, rising costs such as fertilisers, packaging materials and labour, are squeezing margins and making it harder for farmers to sustain production,” Nor Sam said, adding that climate disruptions such as drought, floods and unpredictable rainfall patterns have further disrupted growing cycles.
“Strategic measures, including better pest and disease control, improved market access and smarter land-use planning, will be crucial to strengthening resilience.
“Our goal is not just to increase production but to ensure it is sustainable and profitable, while enhancing Malaysia’s position in the global fruit export market.”
Federation of Malaysia Fruit Farmers Association president Koh Lai Ann said farmers have long grappled with soaring land prices, labour shortages and extreme weather linked to climate change.
“One of the biggest issues is the high cost and scarcity of suitable land, which drives up production costs,” he said adding that frequent price swings and limited access to modern farming techniques further constrain productivity and profitability.
Koh urged the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to promote advanced farming methods, high-yield disease-resistant fruit varieties and training.
He also called for better irrigation systems, particularly for mango growers, noting that demand for the fruit far exceeds local supply.
“Compared to Thailand, our mango farms are too small to achieve economies of scale, and our lack of variety makes it harder to cater to different market needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, avocado cultivation is emerging in Sabah, where the fruit grows better than in Peninsular Malaysia.
Avocado grower Datuk Lawrence Ting Siew Haw said Sabah currently does not have large-scale avocado plantations.
“The fruit here is mainly sold to tourists and locals. They’re large, attractive, and sell for RM12 to RM13 each locally, compared to RM18 to RM20 in other areas.”
However, Ting pointed out that transporting avocados from Sabah to Peninsular Malaysia is costly, and ironically more expensive than importing fruit from abroad.
“Transport from East Malaysia is restricted to local shipping lines. For example, sending a 20-foot container from Sabah to the peninsula costs around RM12,000 to RM13,000.
“Meanwhile, a container of avocados from Vietnam might only cost RM10,000 due to competitive international shipping rates.”
Without cheaper logistics and stronger support, Ting said the outlook for expanding avocado production remains limited.
“We simply can’t compete with countries like Vietnam or Thailand. They have cheap foreign labour, and their governments provide strong support. For example, Indonesia gives subsidies to its fruit exporters.”
Ting added that small farm sizes are another hurdle with many farmers not owning the land they are working on.
“Without land ownership, there’s little incentive to invest in costly infrastructure like irrigation systems,” he said.