KPKM proposes a national census to decide Malaysia’s official fruit amid competing bids from durian and pineapple
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has proposed that the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) conduct a census to determine which local fruit should be recognised as Malaysia’s national fruit.
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the proposed census was necessary to obtain comprehensive public feedback as Malaysia has yet to officially recognise a national fruit, unlike several countries that have adopted national fruits as part of their nation-branding strategies.
He said KPKM had received an official application from the Durian Manufacturer Association (DMA) seeking recognition of durian as Malaysia’s national fruit, while the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) had submitted a similar proposal for pineapple.
“Given that more than one fruit has been proposed, KPKM is of the view that the selection process should be objective and based on data. The ministry has therefore proposed that DOSM conduct a national census to obtain the views of Malaysians on the fruit most suitable to be designated as national fruit.
“This approach is in line with the government’s practice of evidence-based policymaking and ensuring that decisions truly reflect the aspirations of the people. Any government decision will be made after considering the findings of the census and the Cabinet’s deliberations,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
Replying to Senator Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali’s original question on the government’s action plan to transform the pineapple industry towards achieving RM2 billion in export value by 2027, Chan said various integrated strategies were being intensified through LPNM.
He said KPKM, through LPNM, had formulated the Strategic Plan for Increasing Pineapple Exports 2026-2027, comprising six main strategies based on analysis of export performance, global market demand and domestic supply capacity.
“This strategy includes strengthening exports to major markets, especially China, which currently accounts for 72 per cent of the country’s total pineapple exports, with demand reaching 150 containers of fresh fruit per month.
“The government is also implementing a strategic business matching programme to explore new markets such as New Zealand, intensify international promotion, increase the number of new exporters and strengthen monitoring of the supply of export-quality pineapples,” he said.
Chan said LPNM was also collaborating with the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) to develop specific export guidelines to ensure Malaysian pineapples meet quality standards, food safety requirements and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements of importing countries.
