TAIPING, Aug 6 — Durian processing and export company, Duria Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, aims to rake in a profit of RM20 million with the export of frozen durian to China.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Wong Woei Ming, said this involved the export of 5,000 metric tonnes (MT) compared with 3,000 MT and a profit of RM12 million last year.
He said the key export destinations were China, Australia, UK, Canada, Hong Kong and the US.
“The factory here processes 100 MT of durians a day. The fruits are bought from the farmers in Batu Kurau and in Bukit Gantang.
“We will increase production in line with encouraging demand from abroad,” he told reporters after the pre-launch of the factory in the Kamunting Industrial Area here today.
State Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee Chairman, Datuk Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid, officiated the ceremony.
Duria previously operated in Selayang, Selangor and opened the factory here since July. It is the biggest exporter of durian products like durian paste, ice cream, spring rolls and durian mooncakes in the country.
Wong said due to the increase in demand for durian products, the company would increase exports to 8,000 MT.
“The increase will bring in between RM40-RM50 million in sales next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zahir said, the state government would set up a durian cooperative (co-op), Malaysian Durian Corp Bhd, next year to boost the durian industry in the state.
“The co-op will help stabilise the durian prices in the market,” he told reporters after the pre-launch of the Duria factory here today.
He said the state was expected to record exports of RM60 million via the co-op.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive of Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, said Duria’s factory has sophisticated machine ‘Freshline Instant Quick Freezing Tunnel’.
“The machine uses liquid nitrogen to lower the operating temperature to the freezing process and ensure high quality, he said. — Bernama
