Ministry eyes RM200m pepper exports this year

SIBU, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities aims for an income of RM200 million from pepper exports this year.

Its minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said since last year the prices of both black and white pepper "have been very encouraging" in the world markets.

"Last year the average price per ton for black pepper was RM13,484 while for white pepper it was RM22,029.

"On Nov 4, the prices for black and white pepper rose to RM17,000 and RM27,300 per ton respectively, the best prices ever recorded in the country's pepper history," he said.

He was speaking before commissioning a RM7.2 million steam treatment plant at the Malaysian Pepper Board's Sibu branch here Tuesday.

Pepper, he said, was now the country's fifth biggest contributor to its export commodities income.

"Last year Malaysia exported pepper worth RM198 million compared to RM154 million in the previous year.

"From January to October this year, we have seen the income increase by 29% to RM155 million from RM119 million in the same period previously," he said.

Dompok urged smallholders, especially in the state, to continue with or expand their pepper cultivation, saying this is the best time for pepper as the return is very high for smallholders.

The treatment plant, part of the government's long-term plan to upgrade the quality and wholesomeness of pepper and its by-products, sterilises them to reduce fungal and yeast contamination to meet foreign specifications, he said.

"Pepper products differentiated with such qualities can certaintly boost demand and make the state's pepper more competitive in the markets of Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia," he said.

Speaking to the media later, Dompok said although oil palm and rubber also fetch very good prices, pepper farmers do not need a large area of land.

"Oil palm is labour-intensive, and once you have harvested, you need to send the fruits to the nearest mill within 24 hours," he said, adding this would be a costly problem for smallholdings deep in the interior and without good road links.

Dompok said although a hectare of both crops might yield an identical volume of harvest (about four tons of crude palm oil or pepper berries), pepper gives the better income with its higher price.

"For pepper, you can harvest in two and a half years, and you do not need a huge plot.

For rubber, you can only begin tapping about six years after planting," he said, adding there is always room for diversification by farmers nationwide.

He said the board is now encouraging farmers to plant pepper in Peninsular Malaysia, where 252 hectares have been planted, and in Sabah with its 30 hectares.

Sarawak remains the country's top producer with 14,453 hectares and more areas slowly being added.

Are you looking for more Internet EXPOSURE?