The Commodities sector has historically been a major generator of economic activity.  Despite the nation’s major transition from a largely agriculture-based to manufacturing economy in the early 1980s, commodities remain a major income earner.

Thrust One of the Ninth Malaysian Plan states the Government's intention to grow the economy through the agricultural and commodities sector.

Click here to read the Ninth Malaysian Plan - Chapter 3 that stresses the importance of strengthening agriculture and agro-based industries for wealth creation.

The transformation of both, the agricultural and commodities sector will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

Adapting to changing world demand, the Malaysian commodity sector has also gone through transitions. Malaysia today focuses on oil palm, rubber, timber, tobacco, pepper and cocoa as its main commodities.  Growth in these areas are supported by technology advancement.