The Malaysian Pineapple Industrial Board (MPIB) targets to export up to 100 tonnes of Josapine pineapples to Dubai in the first half of next year. Director-General Datuk Mohd Anim Hosnan called this ‘realistic’ as the Josapine variety of pineapples had attracted an encouraging demand from the emirate.
“We have received bookings from 33 traders in Dubai so far although we only began promoting the pineapples last month,” he stated at the launch of the Fresh Pineapple Exports Flag-Off Programme.
Mohd Anim said the Josapine pineapple would make its debut in the Middle East with a shipment of a container holding 20 tonnes of the fruit. Three current exporters shall make weekly shipments. “We expect the volume to Dubai to reach up to 10 containers within the six-month period in view of our having 3,200 hectares of plantations, sufficient to cater to the Dubai market,” he added.
According to theedgemarkets.com¸ Mohd Anim noted that the Josapine variety was selected for export after MD2 due to its durability, resistance to diseases and shorter harvesting period of only 12 months.
