KOTA SAMARAHAN: The crystal longan fruit from Sarawak is among the local fruits that will be promoted in the sixth edition of Expo Malaysia Fest 2023 at Singapore EXPO, Changi.
Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Malaysia senior director of fresh marketing, Shahrizan Sudirman, said about 2.5 metric tonnes of crystal longan are targeted to be shipped (to Singapore) throughout the expo period from July 27 to 30.
“This shipment gives Fama an opportunity to help promote local seasonal fruits such as the Sarawak crystal longan in the Singapore market,” he said after officiating at the release of crystal longan fruit promotion shipment in conjunction with Expo Malaysia Fest 2023 at the Fama Samarahan Division office yesterday (July 24).
Also present were Fama Sarawak director Ramli Mat Sani, Fama Samarahan division officer Greyston Peli and Fama Samarahan operations manager Kemin Rentap.
Shahrizan described the Sarawak crystal longan or Pometia Pinnata, its scientific name as having great potential to expand its market as it is not only in demand in the peninsula but also in Singapore.
For example, in the peninsula, the price of a kilogramme of the seasonal fruit can go up to RM18 per kg.
“The uniqueness of this fruit is that it can only be found in Sarawak…this is because it is difficult to grow in the peninsula due to soil factors,” he said.
In this regard, he said Fama Sarawak aims to deliver five metric tonnes of crystal longan fruits to the peninsula market and 2.5 metric tonnes for the local market.
“Overall, Fama Sarawak is targeting a minimum purchase of 10 metric tonnes and this depends on the crystal longan fruit season period, which is expected to last until mid-August,” he said.
According to him, the current rate of commercial crystal longan tree cultivation in Sarawak is still low involving only about 20 farmers in the Kota Samarahan, Lundu and Sematan areas.
