Lachau’s Anak Sekolah rambutans headed for European markets
SRI AMAN: Farmers from three longhouses near Lachau here were smiling from ear- toear yesterday after harvesting their ‘Anak Sekolah’ rambutans for grading, disinfecting and packing by officers from the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority ( Fama) to be exported to European markets.
Fama Sarawak director Shahid Abu Bakar told The Borneo Post they are expecting the three longhouses to produce around 100 metric tonnes this season.
“This season, the production looks very good. Fama is committed to buying at least 60 tonnes.
“What we purchase and harvest today is meant to be exported to Europe,” he said when met at Rumah Nimong, Kampung Empelanjau Atas in Lachau.
Shahid was happy to note that the rambutans planted by local farmers are fruiting and ripening at the perfect time, saying the festive season demand for tropical fruits is very high in Europe.
“Christmas is just around the corner and the demand will be great. The special thing about rambutans from this area is the fruit seems to ‘start’ when other areas have ceased production.
“You can’t acquire any more rambutans in Peninsular Malaysia now,” he disclosed.
Shahid also praised local farmers for taking good care of their fruit trees, pointing out that rambutans from the Lachau area are of exceptional quality that makes them stand out in the export market.
“The fruits are of very high quality. The size is very big and the flesh is very thick, sweet and very suitable for export.”
Shah ids aid that Fa ma purchased from the farmers in the area every year as they had been very consistent in their output.
However, he stressed that Fama will have to grade the fruits harvested by the local farmers to ensure the fruits meet the stringent requirements of the export market.
“We will be doing grading to filter the fruits, and we do our best to select fruits at Index Four, which is not too ripe or not too young, so that when they reach the market, it will be at the perfect condition,” he explained.
Meanwhile, DRS Trading Sdn Bhd director Aziz Sakiman told The Borneo Post that yesterday was the second time this year the company purchased fruits from Lachau, partly because last year’s production was delayed until January this year, thus missing the Christmas season.
“We started in 2015, and this is my second visit to this longhouse.
“We are very happy with the quality of the fruits; the size and appearance are very suitable for export,” he said.
Aziz is the main exporter of Sarawak rambutans.
He revealed that his company had received orders amounting to three tonnes from Holland, and expected the demand to rise during this festive season.
As for the three longhouses, which are located close to each other, it was a carnivallike atmosphere yesterday as villagers headed to their farms to harvest the fruits, stopping around noon to ensure the fruit quality is not affected by the midday heat.