Long (left) explaining to Zahari (centre) the packing process for the honey jackfruit to be exported to China.
CHINA with its population of more than 1.4 billion is a huge market for Malaysian fruit farmers.
Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said Malaysia was last year allowed to export fresh honey jackfruit (nangka madu) to China, opening up a new market for local farmers.
“The Chinese market is one of the largest in the world for agricultural products,” he said.
“The state and federal governments strongly support efforts to export local agricultural products, including honey jackfruit, to China and other global markets.”
He recently visited fruit processing plant Fruitglo Sdn Bhd in Ayer Hitam, Batu Pahat, where he also flagged off its first batch of fresh honey jackfruit bound for China.
The eight tonnes of J33 honey jackfruit are heading to Tianjin for sale in major supermarkets.
Zahari said the fruits were exported through As Syura Trading and Resources Sdn Bhd while the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) was responsible for promoting agricultural products overseas.
He added that such efforts were made possible with the cooperation of farmers, exporters, government agencies and international trade partners.
Fama chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said local agricultural products would be promoted using the “Malaysia’s Best” branding.
The national branding, introduced by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry through Fama, was aimed at promoting quality local fruits with a strong Malaysian identity to the foreign market, he said.
“The branding means the products are recognised by the Malaysian government.
“This also gives confidence to international consumers, and assurance that the products are in accordance with stringent standards and safety requirements,” added Aminuddin.
Fruitglo director Melvin Long said Malaysia’s honey jackfruit was aimed at middle- and high-end consumers in the Chinese market.
“Although Thailand and Vietnam are our main competitors, Malaysia’s honey jackfruit is of high quality and has a unique flavour that can satisfy Chinese consumers.
“While our competitors can offer lower prices, our quality and taste are unmatched; just like Malaysia’s Musang King durian,” said Long, who is also Federation of Malaysia Fruit Farmers Association executive secretary.
He added that his company’s target was to export 40 to 50 tonnes of high-quality honey jackfruit to China annually to meet demand.
