FRUIT INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA: CURRENT STATUS AND POTENTIAL

Until recently, the Malaysian fruit industry was neglected.
The emphasis of development has been on the commodity crops of oil palm, rubber and cocoa.
With low commodity prices and the desire to broaden the agricultural base, fruit is identified as one of the rising stars in the agricultural sector.
Although there are more than 100 species of fruit trees grown in this country, not all can be commercialised in a big way.
A checklist of an ideal export fruit is presented.
The weaknesses and strengths of the current production technology, post-harvest technology, transport and marketing systems are discussed.
The ingredients for building up a viable fruit industry are there, but given the limited resources and time, emphasis should be given to only a few crops which already have the right elements to succeed.
Prompt actions from an authoritative body to coordinate the various levels of production and marketing are essential to avoid missing out on the available opportunities.

Recent Advances in Horticultural Science in the Tropics

A. Arope

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1992.292.1