ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor will begin to export honey jackfruit to China early next year to explore new markets for the commodity, the state assembly was told today (November 28).
State Agriculture, Agroindustry and Rural Development Committee chairman, Datuk Zahari Sarip, said currently there were two jackfruit producers, Kawan Pertanian Sdn Bhd and CSC Sdn Bhd, who have passed protocols and criteria related to the inspection and quarantine needs for the export of jackfruit to China.
"With the cooperation of these two local producers, we will begin the first trial export to China involving 500 to 600 metric tons that will be sent through 100 containers a year.
"If successful, it will be a great opportunity not only for the state but also local producers as jackfruit has the potential to do well like durian and pineapple as China is a big market," he told reporters outside the state assembly here today (November 28).
He said that there are 277 jackfruit producers, cultivating 564 hectares of land with a production of 7,600 metric tons, noting that Johor had been exporting jackfruit to Singapore previously, but it was a limited market.
Zahari (BN-Buloh Kasap) had earlier said during the state assembly that the state government was in the midst of increasing exports of local produce with the potential to do well regionally and internationally.
"Johor is the main agriculture product exporter to neighbouring Singapore, and this includes fruits, vegetables and downstream products," he said in reply to an oral question by N Saraswati (BN-Kemelah) about the potential and focus of local fruit and vegetable producers as Johor was the main producer of both commodities. --BERNAMA
