Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (second from left) looking someblack pepper products displayed at the Empowerment of Johor Pepper Industry Players programme in Senai, Kulai.
KULAI: Johor has the potential to become a marketing and export hub for downstream black pepper products because of its proximity to Singapore, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said Johor is the largest producer of black pepper in Peninsular Malaysia, with a total of 38ha managed by 155 farmers.
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"According to the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), there are 294 black pepper farmers in the peninsula with a total plantation space of 92ha.
"Although the figure is small, their contribution is big, and we also need to consider (Johor's) geographical location.
"Singapore can be a platform to propel our downstream product into the international market," he said when met by reporters after an Empowerment of Johor Pepper Industry Players event in Senai here on Tuesday (Aug 22).
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The focus should be on creating a downstream industry from the black pepper grown in Johor before it is exported, he added, so that it does not end up becoming a product of Singapore.
"The demand for black pepper from Singapore is high, and our industry players should take this opportunity to create a high-quality product that can fulfil the demand from the international market," he said.
