JOHOR BARU, Dec 15 — The export value of pineapples from Johor, since the beginning of the year, has reached RM1 billion involving the production of 217 metric tonnes, said Johor Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip.

He said the latest figure exceeds the value of exports for last year which was approximately RM600 million.

"The latest figure is an encouraging development, and we can expect pineapple production to increase to 450 metric tonnes in the next five years.

"This is to expand the export potential of pineapples, especially to European countries,” said Zahari to reporters after being presented with the first batch of MD2 pineapples to be exported Germany at the Kulim Pineapple Farm in Ulu Tiram here today.

The event was organised by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board where Kulim (M) Berhad has been appointed as the distributor to export pineapples to Germany before being marketed to five other countries in Europe.

Zahari said as a start, 18 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,000 pineapples, will be exported to Germany as part of its distribution for the European market.

"If possible, Germany is asking for at least 1,000 containers a week.

"However, we need to understand that even if we collected the entire country’s pineapple production, it would still not be enough to cover the demand.

"In other words, Germany is willing to buy whatever our output is for the European market,” he said.

Zahari, who is also the Buloh Kasap assemblyman, added that the promising export figures can open new business opportunities for farmers.

"Previously, Johor’s pineapple exports were successful in penetrating markets in China, Japan, Qatar, Turkey and South Korea,” he said.

Johor’s domestic pineapple market has been going from strength to strength with the increased production of the MD2 premium variety which has a high market demand abroad.