KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 -- Seedlings for the Musang King durian variant are in great demand locally after the fruit was sold for RM500 per kilogram in Hong Kong, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has said.
While noting that many were unhappy when Musang King durians skyrocketed in price to RM100 per kilogram following the prime minister's official visit to China, Ahmad Shabery reportedly said he would only be worried if agricultural produce prices go down and are unwanted.
Sin Chew Daily reported the minister said agriculture nowadays is no longer aimed at lifting farmers out of poverty, but instead revolves around opening up of new markets to help them earn more.
He also pointed out that there are people who fly in weekly from China and Hong Kong to Sibu, Sarawak to taste the state's famous freshwater fish called Empurau.
A separate report by The Borneo Post showed the prized Empurau fish can cost up to RM1,000 per kilogram, with one man reportedly paying RM15,000 for a 27kg empurau fish caught in a river in 2015.
