Articles
STATUS OF THE PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA
The total area under pineapple in the last 5 years was only around 7–8 thousand ha and 5,000 ha are managed by three prominent estates which grow pineapple for canning.
The export of canned pineapple from 1990–1997 declined from 2.5–1.6 million standard cases and the major export markets for canned pineapples are the USA, Japan and the Middle East.
Fresh pineapple production involves only the smallholders with a combined area of about 1,200 ha.
The export volume of fresh pineapple is small, usually less than 30 thousand tones annually and targeted mainly for the Singapore market.
However, the fresh pineapple export had picked up recently to 40 thousand tonnes worth RM 10 million in 1997. With the introduction of the new hybrid Josapine in 1996, the market for fresh pineapple is expected to increase further.
The pineapple industry in Malaysia is unique because nearly 90% of the crop is planted on peat soil which is considered marginal for most other agricultural crops.
The current technology for cultivation of pineapple on peat appears adequate although the inability to mechanise on this type of soil is a severe disadvantage in the face of labour shortage and rises in other input costs.
There is an emerging interest in planting fresh fruit varieties on mineral soil to obtain better quality produce.
The current research thrusts are in development of new varieties with early bearing characteristics and high sugar for canning in natural juice, agronomic practices on mineral soil covering high density, timing of hormoning, fertiliser rates and applications and management of mealybug closterovirus red wilt.
Research focus will also be given to postharvest handling for export of fresh pineapples and in product development such as minimal processing.