The Unique Sweetness of Krayan Pineapple. Credit photo: the author.
On that afternoon of June 15, 2025, Dr. Yansen TP, Pepih Nugraha, and Masri Sareb Putra, three close friends and literacy advocates, embarked on a trip. They paid a visit to Jen Alang's vanilla farm in Long Bawan, on the Krayan Highlands in Nunukan Regency.
This trip reinforced that organic farming along the Indonesia-Malaysia border isn't just about staple crops like adan rice, but also high-value plants like vanilla and pineapple.
Inspiring Vanilla Cultivation
Jen Alang's vanilla orchard is truly inspiring. The plants thrive under the shade of gamal trees on well-maintained land, highlighting huge potential for development as a top export product. Beyond vanilla, Jen Alang also grows Krayan pineapples on nearby plots.
The Unique Sweetness of Krayan Pineapple
Krayan pineapple is a local highland variety famous for its natural sweetness. This fruit has become a key commodity, popular not just locally but increasingly in regional markets too. Its uniqueness stems from a mix of environmental conditions, chemical traits, and traditional growing practices.
Ideal Krayan Environment for Pineapples
Nestled at 800–1,200 meters above sea level, Krayan boasts a wet tropical climate with cool temps between 20–26°C. Research from the Tropical Fruit Research Institute shows cooler weather slows pineapple respiration, storing more carbs as sugar in the fruit.
Ideal Krayan environment for pineapples. Photo credit: the author.
The organic-rich soil provides nutrients like potassium, boosting sugar synthesis for that signature sweet taste.
Located on the Indonesia-Malaysia border, Krayan has a microclimate perfect for pineapples. Adequate rainfall and optimal sunlight maximize photosynthesis, yielding high-sugar fruits. This sets Krayan pineapple apart from lowland varieties like Smooth Cayenne or Queen.
Traditional Cultivation and Genetic Factors
The sweetness of Krayan pineapple is bolstered by local organic farming methods. Farmers use natural compost to enrich soil without harming the ecosystem, with wide spacing ensuring ample sunlight. Harvests are done by hand at peak ripeness, marked by golden-yellow skins.
Chemically, it features high sugar with low acidity, creating a balanced sugar-acid ratio, as studied by the Agricultural Research and Development Agency. Bogor Agricultural Institute research reveals local Krayan genetics promote higher sugar synthesis than commercial types. The interplay of environment, cultivation, and genetics makes Krayan pineapple stand out in flavor.
That said, limited research infrastructure in Krayan hinders full data verification. Further studies are needed to strengthen these findings, especially genetic analysis, to support Krayan pineapple as a national commodity.
