Malaysia: Tracking system for export of frozen durian

A new tracking system to ensure consumers buy the authentic frozen durian from Malaysia is ready to be tested in the overseas market. With this system, unscrupulous fruits sellers would find it difficult to cheat customers about the origin of the frozen durian just to hike the price.

The MiTrace Traceability System, jointly developed by Department of Agriculture, Mimos Berhad, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Malaysian Durian Exporters Association, enables consumers to scan using their smart phones, the quick response code which will be on the package.

They will then know the origin of the fruit, expiry date, production date, exporting and importing companies.

Department of Agriculture director-general Datuk Ahmad Zakaria Mohamad Sidek said the system will also ensure that consumers will get the top quality of frozen durian and the export of the fruit will improve.

He said the durian was picked to use this system as it is already a premium product overseas especially in China.

"In 2012, the frozen durian sales in China was RM1.6 million compared to RM1.1 million in 2011," said Ahmad Zakaria, at the launch of 'Live Export of Malaysia Frozen Durian with Mitrace Traceability System' here today.

He added that there are plans to apply this system on other potentially value-added export fruits like rambutan, jackfruit and pineapple.

Source: thesundaily.my