CN China durian

Malaysian authorities have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese distributors to increase the volume of fruit entering the market.

The Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) signed the MoU with the China National Agriculture Wholesale Market Association (CAWA) last week in Beijing, reported Bernama.

The MoU is part of a drive by Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry to increase fruit exports to China.

According to the MoU, FAMA will act as the marketer for Malaysian agricultural products in China, while CAWA – China’s industry association for wholesale and retail markets – will distribute them.

The Ministry’s secretary general Datuk Mohd Hashim said a key part of the plan was to build jackfruit and pineapple exports to China, as well as increasing the existing durian trade.

Hashim explained demand for Malaysian durian in China was huge, but supply was not keeping up with the growing demand. He called on Malaysian growers to improve on-orchard practices to increase production.