SEPANG (BERNAMA) – The export of Malaysian orchids can contribute up to MYR4 billion a year to Malaysia’s floriculture industry due to high demands from other countries, said the head of Malaysia’s Floriculture Industry Unit (Floriculture Industry Development Division), Department of Agriculture, Mohamad Nizam Malik.
He said, however, to meet the demand, Malaysia needs to farm 120 hectares of orchids.
“Currently, there are 50 orchid farms managed by local entrepreneurs that have produced yields, and we expect more orchid farms will be established,” he said, adding that if Malaysia wishes to meet the demand from Dubai, it needs to send at least 50 containers of orchids every day.
He said this to reporters after attending the launch of a pilot project involving the export of premium gift boxes of Mokara orchid to Dubai at the Cargo Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday.
“We aim to provide orchids at luxury hotels not only as decorations but also as souvenirs because orchids have high aesthetics and people appreciate their uniqueness and beauty,” he said, adding that Malaysian orchids are sought-after in several countries in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar besides existing demand from countries like Singapore.
According to the Department of Agriculture’s previous statement, the floriculture industry brought in MYR417.3 million through exports in 2021 compared to MYR403 million in 2020.
A total of 270 premium gift boxes of the Mokara orchid will be flown to Dubai yesterday and are expected to be launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali in conjunction with Gulfood 2024, touted as the largest food festival in Dubai.
