Serdang: The new Sarawak Gold (SG1) pineapple variety is stealing the spotlight at Laman Nanas during MAHA 2026, which is in full swing at the Malaysia Agriculture Expo Park (MAEPS).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh stated that seven tonnes of SG1 pineapples have been shipped in from Sarawak. This provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience the fruit's unique taste and appeal. The SG1, initially discovered and cultivated in Miri, is described as a premium pineapple variety with significant commercial potential.
Mohd Khairuzamri highlighted several distinctive features of the SG1. Its sweetness is comparable to the popular MD2 variety, and it boasts a crown with a striking rose-like shape. The fruit maintains consistent quality and flavor throughout. Notably, SG1 matures in just nine months, much faster than the MD2, which requires 14 months from planting to harvest.
He further elaborated that the SG1 variety can be planted at a high density of between 25,000 and 30,000 plants per acre, enhancing output without the necessity for extensive farmland. LPNM is planning to expand the cultivation of the SG1 variety to Peninsular Malaysia, with seedlings expected to be widely available to growers by next year.
On the export front, trial shipments from Sarawak to Singapore have already shown success, indicating the variety's potential to penetrate markets such as China and New Zealand. The robust resilience of SG1 makes it a promising candidate for international markets.
Meanwhile, Laman Nanas at MAHA 2026 adopts the theme "Value Creation for Food Security," aiming to change public perceptions of the pineapple industry. The concept of "one planting, three harvests" is being promoted, emphasizing that pineapples offer more than just fresh fruit. The harvest extends to seeds, and plant waste can be converted into high-value products like ruminant feed, clothing, and paper.
MAHA 2026 is taking place from August 28 to September 6 at MAEPS, featuring around 2,000 exhibitors and is expected to attract over four million visitors.