Amplang, tebaloi penetrate Japanese market
KUALA LUMPUR: Who would have thought that the popular round-shaped ‘amplang’ (fish crackers or prawns) from Sabah, and ‘tebaloi’ (traditional sagobased snack) from Sarawak have now penetrated the Japanese market and are well received there.
These two small and medium industry (SMI) products under the Peladang brand, and run by members of the Area Farmers Organisations (PPK) in Tawau and in Mukah, respectively, were among the products promoted at the Dubai Expo 2020.
National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) Marketing and Promotion Division manager Mohammad Fauzie Tamin said following that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (Mafi) offered to further expand the market for the product through collaboration with private companies overseas.
“This initiative is the first transaction as a market trial for amplang and tebaloi to the Japanese market. It is hoped that this effort will open up new market opportunities for other Borneo products in Japan.
“Alhamdulillah, we were informed that it received a warm response at the World Food and
Beverage Great Expo (FABEX) 2022 in Tokyo, Japan recently. All profits are being channelled to the PPK involved,” he told Bernama.
He said the effort, to some extent, has helped PPK members increase their sales and income and after this, Nafas will look at other Borneo products with the potential to be marketed in other countries.
The Flag-off Session in Japan, conducted by SD Impex Sdn Bhd as the coordinator in Malaysia, and SD Impex Japan Co Ltd as Malaysia’s export management company abroad, was officiated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee on April 22.
Through the Agricultural Advisory Office in Tokyo, Japan, and closely monitored by Mafi’s Business Development and Investment Division, the strategic partnership with SD Impex Japan has succeeded in increasing exports by 992 cartons, Ronald said during the event.
This involves 36 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs)comprising over 50,000 units of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, and ready-to-cook products by 13 manufacturers and entrepreneurs nationwide, under the MyKitchen brand.