Sabah shifts focus to high-value downstream agricultural products

Sabah is shifting its economic focus from exporting raw agricultural commodities to producing high-value downstream goods. This strategy aims to maximize the value chain of the agrifood sector, increase income for farmers and smallholders, and strengthen food security.

During the launch of the Lumi Borneo latex pillow, Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar noted that the price of latex in the state has risen by RM2.28 per kg since December 2025, reaching RM9.17 per kg. He highlighted that processing latex into finished products like pillows directly contributes to higher prices for cup lump, which rose from RM3.56 per kg to RM5.40 per kg in the same period.

The Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) is leading this initiative, with the new latex pillow marking the first such product in the state. Officials emphasized that this value-added approach should be expanded to the fisheries and broader agriculture sectors to create more meaningful economic impacts and job opportunities for local youth in production, logistics, and marketing.