By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Agrifood Corporation (MAFC) has shipped 1,800 metric tonnes of tomatoes worth RM4.8 million to the Middle East region since April 2009.

It also exported 630 metric tonnes of pineapples valued at RM1.2 million from September last year.

According to MAFC Vice-President For International Sales, Mohamad Hafizuddin Abdullah, Malaysian tomatoes and pineapples as well as papayas, are now available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

"We're also looking at Oman and Kuwait. At the same time, we want to expand our distribution channels in those countries where we're already present today," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the World of Perishables Exhibition here.

The tomatoes are grown mainly in Cameron Highlands and marketed in the region under the "Lushious" brand while the MAFC also ships other highland vegetables to it.

Mohamad Hafizuddin said MAFC would like to introduce cavendish bananas from Malaysia to the Middle East market.

"They are grown in Kota Tinggi, Johor, and also sourced from India through a contract farming arrangement," he explained.

According to him, the MAFC had in fact shipped the bananas on a trial basis to Dubai, Qatar and Iran in January this year.

The MAFC's presence in the region stemmed from its participation in the Gulfood 2009 exhibition in Dubai.

Malaysia exported RM19.8 million worth of fruits and vegetables to the UAE in 2009, according to figures compiled by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).

On the outlook for Malaysian papaya exports, Mohamad Hafizuddin said the consumption of the fruit was still low in the Middle East compared to other tropical fruits like bananas and pineapples.

"But we'll continue to increase awareness of our 'Paiola' papayas in this market," he said.

He added that the Paiola had a lot going for it, having been picked as a finalist for the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2009 Berlin.

The MAFC is also exporting fruits and vegetables to Europe, Singapore, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong.

Matrade's senior trade commissioner in Dubai, Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said fresh produce from Malaysia, was well received by consumers in the middle east.

He said the products could be found in good supermarket chains in the UAE and elsewhere.

Dzulkifli acknowledged competition from other Southeast Asian producers, but believed that sustained promotional efforts on the part of Malaysian companies, is the key to making further inroads in the Middle East.

He also urged Malaysian producers to come up with high quality products that would appeal to buyers and consumers here.

-- BERNAMA