As Malaysian producers are successfully meeting the European Union's import standards, the import of Malaysian agricultural produce is increasing.
The agricultural counsellor of the Malaysian Agricultural Representative Office in The Hague (PPP The Hague), Yusmizam Mohd Yahya, said the EU has set stringent certification standards, but producers of Malaysian agricultural products have well met them.
"This is evident from the demand and current exports of Malaysian agricultural products to Europe," he told Bernama in Rotterdam.
Yusmizam visited, on the last day of the 'Malaysia Week' programme to promote Malaysia's agricultural products, the Wah Nam Hong supermarket at the Markthal (Market Hall).
The programme in Rotterdam is the last in a series of such promotions for 2016 in Europe organised by the PPP The Hague.
Yusmizam said Malaysian fruits have been well received by Europe's large supermarkets as they met the international certification on good agricultural practices, Global GAP, while having an advantage in terms of quality.
He said in 2015, the export value of Malaysian fruits to Europe stood at RM43.41 million, compared to RM41.38 million the previous year.
Among the favoured fruits are starfruit, jackfruit and mangosteens.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz Sakiman, a director of DRS Trading Sdn Bhd, which exports tropical fruits, sees a big potential for Malaysian fruits in overseas markets.
Aziz said demand for exotic Malaysian fruits was always present and rising, particularly during the festive seasons as Christmas, and to date, his company had received large orders for star fruit and jackfruits.
DRS Trading Sdn Bhd, which last year also participated in the promotional week, exported about 366 tonnes of fruits, with 60 percent for the European market and 40 percent to West Asia.
(1 Malaysian Ringgit=0.24 USD)
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