Durian commodity should be managed by an expanded industry board, says Mat Sabu

Wednesday 16 Oct 2024

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 9): The functions of the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) need to be expanded to include managing the durian commodity, following the country’s recent success in exporting fresh durians to China.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who is widely known as Mat Sabu, said the durian commodity can be managed by expanding the LPNM's functions by combining pineapple, coconut and durian commodities.

“This is important, so that our desire to reduce the trade balance deficit can be achieved through these three commodities, which are indeed in such high demand,” he told the media after the monthly assembly of his ministry here on Wednesday.

Giving an example, Mohamad said 40 tonnes of Malaysian fresh durians were snapped up within 24 hours in the Chinese market last Friday.

"Likewise with pineapples…we were only available to export 800 containers [of pineapples] per year, although the demand is for 4,000 containers a year,” he said.

Mohamad said his ministry is in discussions with China to export village durians, which are seen to have a big potential in increasing the income of smallholders.

"We will endeavour to find new opportunities that can be utilised in the best possible way for the good of the country and its people in the future," he said.

Additionally, Mohamad said the Farmers Organisation Authority, Federal Agricultural Marketing Auhtority (Fama) and the ministry's business development and investment division need to work closely together towards realising the dream.

Malaysia exported fresh durians to China for the first time on Aug 24, two months after the signing the protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from Malaysia to China.

This was reportedly the result of the ministry's efforts for eight years, starting from 2016, where previously only frozen durians could be exported to China.

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