Status of Fruit Industry in Malaysia

Johore are the largest area of fruit tree grown in Malaysia - eg Durian at Muar District.

Malaysia is a Tropical Climate Country and produce many varieties of Tropical fruits. Department of Agriculture recorded about 22 types of fruit trees that are grown throught the country with an area of 281,223 in 2006 but decreased in size to 275,650 in 2009. However the production of local fruit were increased from 1,429,154 metric ton in 2006 to 1,699,800 in 2009. In 2010 the area planted with fruit tree are estimated about 282,680 which can produce about 1,767,800 metric tons of fresh fruit. Ochard area in Peninsular Malaysia was 221,100 hectare, Sabah 18,150 hectare, Sarawak 36,100 hectare and WP Labuan only 300 hectare in 2009. The largest tropical fruit producer was Johor with 59,450 hectare which able to produce about 535,680 metric tonnes of fresh fruits in 2009.

The most popular fruits grown in Malaysia 2009 was Durian (100,615 hectare) followed by Banana (28,640 hectare), Rambutan ( 24,470 hectare) ,Pineapple (16,210 ha), Dokong (15,940 ha), Duku Langsat (11,050 ha) and Watermelon or Tembikai (11,270 ha). The other fruits types was less than 10,000 hectare annually. Durian was grown throught the country in which Muar District in Johor was the largest durian area with 7,048 hectare in 2008 followed by Segamat District (Johor) with 6,741 hectare and Kuala Krai District (Kelantan) with 5,365 hectare. For banana planting also Johore was the largest area with Batu Pahat (1,660 ha), Pontian (1,663 ha ) and Muar (1,532 ha) in 2008. In case of Rambutan, Perak record area largets planted area with Selama District (846 ha) followed by Kuala Krai District, Kelantan (654 ha) and Dungun District, Terengganu (473 ha). Most of pineapple in Malaysia was grown in Johore at Pontian District (3,686 ha), Kluang District (2,950 ha) and Muar District (1,266 ha). For dokong, it was very popular in Kelantan with Gua Musang District (2,040 ha), Kuala Krai District (1,950 ha) and Jeli District (1,748 ha).

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit was a new players in Malaysian fruit industry where it was only 927 hectare was grown in 2006 and tremendously increase to 2,380 in 2009 and estimated about 2,510 hectare in 2010. Most pitaya was RED VARIETY and mostly was grown in Johor (Kluang - 206 ha and Mersing - 156 ha) and Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu - 155 ha). In late 2009 there was a serious problem in pitaya industry when most matured pitaya trees was attacked by Erwinia Disease ahich cause this industry almost collapse and cause a total lost to farmers.

A serious problem also occured in banana plantation in Johore when Moko Disease (Ralstonia spp) started to attack in 2006/2007 till today. DOA Johore initiate to solve this problem with an introduction of new area with new planting material which is free from disease or using Tissue Culture Planting Material and an Adivisory or Extension program to apply Good Agriculture Practices.

Citrus (Limau Manis) was grown mostly in Sarawak and Terengganu and recorded about 5,174 ha in 2006 but decreased to about 3,915 in 2009. The reduction of hectarage is due to Citrus Greening Disease (CGD) in which the Citrus Valley Project in Dungun Terengganu almost are a total failure. Nowadays only Sarawak produce large amout of Limau Manis that is in Asajaya District (294 ha), Simunjan (288 ha) and Beaufort Sabah (230 ha) respectively.

Johore is the largest fruit producer in Malaysia with about 526,692 mt in 2006 increased to 535,680 in 2009 and estimated to about 557,110 mt in 2010. The second largest fruit producers in 2009 was Sarawak (258,380 mt) followed by Pahang (172.280 mt), Sabah (158,030 mt)Kelantan (132,990 mt), Perak (108,480 mt) and Kedah (107,220mt). About 60% of fresh fruit for domestic use and the balance is for export. The exported fruit were Nanas, Durian, Banana, Star Fruit, Watermelon, Pitaya, Papaya and few others. Fruit industry in Malaysia has a good potential with new programs introduced by DOA such New Planting Schemes and Rehabilitation Programs with new clones for durian and rambutans.

EAT MORE FRUITS.... MORE WILL BE PRODUCED...
MORE IMPORTED FRUIT....LESS PRICE FOR LOCAL FRUITS...

Related Articles:

1. Popular Fruit Clones in Malaysia (Klik disini)

2. Durian D24 (Klik disini)

3. Durian Varieti Musang King (Klik disini)

4. Durian (Klik disinia)

5. Dusun Kg Dingin (Klik disini).  

By.
M Anem
DO MUAR

JOHOR, MALAYSIA