KOTA KINABALU: In a landmark milestone, Sabah has taken a significant step towards becoming a major player in the international pineapple market with the launch of its first export container of MD2 pineapples to Singapore.
This achievement, announced in a speech by Chief Minister I of Sabah and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Datuk Jeffery Kitingan, underscores the promising potential of Sabah’s pineapple industry to tap into lucrative overseas markets.
The export initiative is led by Aqina Borneo Sdn. Bhd., a local subsidiary of Malaysia’s renowned MD2 pineapple exporter Aqina Fruits Sdn. Bhd., which has been cultivating and exporting pineapples since 2009. The company’s recent expansion into Sabah, including the development of a 400-acre farm in Beaufort, marks a strategic move to capitalise on Sabah’s agricultural potential and land resources.
With the first container now shipped to Singapore, industry experts and government officials are optimistic that this milestone can catalyse a broader export-driven growth for Sabah’s pineapple sector. The move not only enhances the state’s agricultural profile but also opens doors for increased income for local farmers, especially through the B40 community engagement programme, which provides training and market access for smallholders.
Sabah’s pineapple industry is poised for a new era of growth, driven by strategic investments, government support, and a burgeoning export market. As the first step in what could become a sustained export pathway, this initiative promises to boost Sabah’s economy, create employment, and position the state as a recognised supplier of high-quality MD2 pineapples on the international stage.-BNN
