Pasfa Aims To Export 100 Metric Tonnes Of Local Fruits Monthly To Hong Kong

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), July 10 (Bernama) -- The Pahang Farmers' Organisation (Pasfa) aims to export monthly 100 metric tonnes of fruits produced by its members to Hong Kong. This will be done in agreement with a fruit importer, Global Benefit Consultant Ltd (Hong Kong). Pasfa Chairman Mustaffa Kamal Abdul Hamid said the annual value of the exports was US$6.3 million (RM20 million) and the agreement is for 10 years. He said among the Malaysia's local fruits to be exported to Hong Kong are durians, rambutans and mangosteens as well as non-seasonal fruits such as jackfruit, mangoes, and water jambus. "Through the agreement, we will be able to assist our members, who previously faced difficulty marketing their fruits, to the point of facing a glut in the local market. "At the same time, their income is also expected to increase with Pasfa buying the fruits at a higher price, that is between 20 to 30 per cent above the prevailing prices," Mustaffa Kamal added. Mustafa Kamal said for a start, Pasfa will send a first shipment of 10 tonnes of durians to Hong Kong on July 15 and other fruits in August. "We are also forging cooperation with the National Farmers Authority to ensure a sufficient supply of fruits, particularly jackfruits, for export to Hong Kong," he added. Meanwhile, Lee said the cooperation deal will not only expand the Malaysian fruits market, but also increase awareness of the fruits among the people in Hong Kong and China. "Malaysian fruits ranked 17th in Hong Kong last year, and way behind Thailand and the Philippines. "Therefore, we hope with this cooperation, the ranking for the Malaysian fruits will move to number five this year. We believe Malaysian fruits are among the best and most tasty," he added. Lee said the fruits would be rebranded as "Malaysian Best Fruit (MBF)" for both markets. --BERNAMA