Sarawak targets 25% ruminant self-sufficiency by 2030

SARAWAK’S swine industry generated RM158.75 million in export earnings in 2026 from the export of 109,606 live pigs, underscoring its contribution to the state’s livestock sector.

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the industry remains an important contributor to Sarawak’s export earnings, with Singapore continuing to be a key market.

Since 2017, the Pasir Puteh Pig Farming Area (PFA) has exported more than 350,000 porkers worth RM312 million to Singapore, maintaining a reliable supply of approximately 2,500 live pigs weekly.

“Sarawak has also been exporting an additional 500 live pigs weekly to Selangor since 2025,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

To strengthen domestic production and enhance food security, he said Sarawak is advancing the development of two major swine farming facilities in Selangau and Ensengei, Serian.

The 233-hectare PFA in Selangau involves an investment of RM200 million and has a breeding capacity of 12,000 sows annually. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with full completion targeted for 2028.

Meanwhile, the 202-hectare Modern Pig Farm (MPF) in Ensengei, Serian, is operated by a private commercial venture with an investment of RM385 million.

The facility will adopt a closed-house farming system with a capacity of 80,000 pigs by 2030, including a modern abattoir. Its first phase, completed last year, is already producing between 700 and 800 porkers monthly.

These developments support Sarawak’s target of increasing annual pork production to 860,000 porkers, valued at RM1.5 billion, by 2030.

Dr Rundi said the state is also strengthening biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF), while enhancing protocols to facilitate safe and sustainable pork exports to regional markets.

Beyond livestock production, Sarawak is expanding downstream meat processing through Sara-Bif, a locally manufactured value-added meat brand developed by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) through its subsidiary, PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd.

Sara-Bif currently produces 20,000 cans of beef products monthly, valued at RM360,000, using imported Australian beef processed locally into products such as corned beef and meatballs.

PPES Ternak has obtained Veterinary Health Mark accreditation, with Sara-Bif corned beef products set to be available in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah from the fourth quarter of 2026.

The next phase includes developing halal canned corned beef with Sarawak black pepper to enhance product value and competitiveness, with the longer-term aim of expanding into wider markets, including ASEAN and the Middle East.