Kenya To Be Gateway For Malaysian Commodities Into African Market

JELI, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is targeting the African market as a new destination to expand the country's commodity exports, with Kenya serving as the main gateway under a trade mission planned by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the initiative is part of the ministry's strategy to strengthen Malaysia's commodity export markets, in addition to maintaining its position in key markets such as India, China, and the European Union (EU).

She said the ministry is also focusing on efforts to increase demand in India and expand the market for high-value downstream products to increase the value and competitiveness of the country's commodities.

"The four main commodity markets for the country are India, Kenya, the EU and China," she said at a press conference after officiating the 2026 Agricultural Industry Carnival (AGX'26) at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, here today.

Commenting on the current market developments, Noraini said the crisis in West Asia has not yet affected the country's plantation sector, while feedback from the ministry's delegation that recently returned from India indicated that demand for Malaysian palm oil remains strong.

She said the ministry will continue to hold engagement sessions with industry players and smallholders to ensure that market developments and the challenges faced by the sector are given attention.

Noraini added that efforts to expand export markets and develop high-value downstream products are important to ensure that Malaysian commodities remain competitive on the international stage.

-- BERNAMA