Fama Plans To Export Rambutans To China This Year

LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), July 25 (Bernama) -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will begin exporting rambutan (exotic fruit of Southeast Asia) to China beginning this year, with an initial export of five tonnes worth US$122,332 (RM500,000). Its director-general, Ahmad Ishak said Sunday this would be a trial, aimed to gauge the potential of the Chinese market and the export value would be re-assessed depending on the response received. "The rambutans will be exported by air once permission has been obtained from China," he told reporters here after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreement to buy rambutans between FAMA and contract farmers in Kampung Kubang Badang here Sunday. He added that Malaysian rambutans had penetrated several European countries as well as the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. Ahmad also said FAMA would collaborate with other government agencies to improve the quality of rambutans in this country for export. To date, he said, there were 25,000 hectares of land in the country used for planting various varieties of rambutan. -- BERNAMA