Durian farmers urged to get ready for China market
President of the Federa on of Chinese Associa ons Sabah (FCAS) Tan Sri T.C Goh has urged the farming community in Sabah, especially those involved in durian planta on, to be er prepare themselves for the imminent approval of export of durian to China by the China government, so that they could take full advantage of it.
KOTA KINABALU: President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) Tan Sri T.C Goh has urged the farming community in Sabah, especially those involved in durian plantation, to better prepare themselves for the imminent approval of export of durian to China by the China government, so that they could take full advantage of it.
He believed once the approval was in place, it would benefit durian planters in Sabah and ultimately help boost the state economy.
Goh also acknowledged that the biggest challenge to the durian farmers in the state would be the uncompromising requirements for quality control and packaging procedure.
He said this after joining the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) delegation led by its president, Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, in receiving the arrival of Xu Zhijun, the deputy secretary-general for the Beijing Municipal Government, in Kuala Lumpur, on Friday.
Goh noted that currently, durians from Malaysia are not allowed to enter the China market legally, but via ‘underground channels’, usually through Hong Kong. This has thus restricted the export of Malaysian durians in large quantities to China, but once the China authority gives the approval for the import of durians from Malaysia, it is expected that the quantity will increase drastically, and so is the price.
“The Chinese government has for the time being allowed for the import of two tons of durians from Malaysia via the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry, for the agriculture produce exhibition in Nanning, Guangxi, next month. The minister concerned, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, will be leading a delegation to participate in the said exhibition, and I too was invited to attend,” he said.
Goh hoped such a platform would bring about new hope and new market for the durian farmers in the state.
“Our (FCAS) Economy Division hopes to provide the necessary assistance to the durian planters in Sabah. We will form a subcommittee for this purpose,” he added.
Goh also acknowledged that while Sabah’s climate and soil were suitable for the plantation of various species of high-quality durians, including the muchsought-after Musang King, all these years Sabah was unable to undertake large-scale durian plantation due to an uncertain and limited market.
He thus hoped that with the latest positive development, durian plantation would soon be a viable economic venture for Sabah, after oil palm.
He reckoned that with Sabah fast becoming the favourite destination for China tourists who are known to love its seafood and durians, this poses a promising and lucrative future for the durian farming industry.