Sarawak is set to make history as Southeast Asia’s largest mozzarella cheese producer. Its first mozzarella cheese factory, located in Merapok, is scheduled to begin operations in August 2025.
The RM16 million facility, based at the Meragang Buffalo Breeding Station, will serve both local demand and international markets including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Supported by Agro Bank, the installation of cheese processing equipment is set to begin in June, with full operations starting two months later. The project will place Lawas on the global map as a center for high-quality buffalo milk-based mozzarella production.
To ensure a premium milk supply, over 700 Murrah buffaloes are being imported from Australia. More than 200 are currently in quarantine in Miri and are expected to arrive in Lawas by the end of the month, with the rest arriving by year-end. Murrah buffaloes can produce up to 20 liters of milk per day—more than triple the yield of local swamp buffaloes.
Efforts are also underway to connect with global buyers, particularly through trade networks in Dubai, to export Sarawak-made mozzarella cheese to the world.
From rice fields to dairy shelves worldwide, Sarawak is on its way to becoming a key player in the global halal dairy industry.
While mozzarella production in Malaysia has so far been limited to small-scale operations in Langkawi and Selangor, the Lawas facility will become the nation’s largest, targeting international quality standards and halal certification.
(Images for illustration purpose)
