Musang King to China?

Malaysia is endeavouring to export its best durian fruit, the Musang King, to China.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the fruits that were to be imported by China must fulfill requirements specified by the republic.

"They called it the cold treatment of below 18 degrees.

"Once we fulfill the requirements, then we have to find the right ports or destination for the durian," he said here.

Ahmad Shabery said he was informed that a durian fruit would cost about RM800 in Hong Kong.

Therefore, he believed that the musang king durian would easily be sold in China at about RM200 to RM300 per kg.

"This will be good for our farmers," he said.

He said that currently China imported the durian fruits from Malaysia's neighbouring country.

While in Beijing accompanying Malaysia''s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Ahmad Shabery had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese authorities for the export of pineapples for the first time to the republic.

After the successful penetration of the Chinese market for pineapples, Ahmad Shabery said subsequent efforts would be to export jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus) to the republic.

Among the Malaysian fruits that had succeeded to penetrate the Chinese market previously was mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana).

-- BERNAMA