Malaysia's Josapine pineapples to penetrate Dubai market

SERDANG: The Malaysian Pineapple Industrial Board (MPIB) targets to export up to 100 tonnes of Josapine pineapples to Dubai in the first half of next year.

MPIB Director-General Datuk Mohd Anim Hosnan said the projection was realistic, as the Josapine variety of pineapples had attracted encouraging demand from the emirate and possessed high commercial value.

“We have received bookings from 33 traders in Dubai so far although we only began promoting the pineapples last month,” he told reporters after the launch of the Fresh Pineapple Exports Flag-Off Programme by Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister Datuk Salahudin Ayub here yesterday.

The programme was held in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism Show (MAHA 2018) that runs until Dec 2 at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang.

Mohd Anim said the Josapine pineapple would make its debut in the Middle East with a shipment of a container holding 20 tonnes of the fruit.

He said three current exporters would make weekly shipments.

“We expect the volume to Dubai to reach up to 10 containers within the six-month period in view of our having 3,200 hectares of plantations, sufficient to cater to the Dubai market,” he added.

Mohd Anim noted that the Josapine variety was selected for export after MD2 due to its durability, resistance to diseases and shorter harvesting period of only 12 months. - Bernama