SEPANG (Malaysia), Feb 19 (Bernama) — The 270 gift boxes containing Mokara Orchid that were flown to Dubai inconjuction with the 2024 Gulfood Festival will serve as a benchmark of the country’s orchid industry.
The Mokara orchids flown last Sunday to Dubai reflect the direction of the Dubai Orchid Export Farm (LEOD) project, covering 29.14 hectares in Lukut, Linggi , and Sepang in the state of Selangor.
Head of the Floriculture Industry Development Division of the Malaysian Department of Agriculture (DOA), Mohamad Nizam Malik stated that although there is already high demand for orchids, efforts to promote orchid products continue.
He shared this insight during an interview with Bernama at 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 here recently.
Mohamad Nizam, who is also LEOD project adviser, stated that exporting orchids to Dubai is straightforward because no quarantine treatment is required.
However, he emphasised that the orchids must meet the export quality requirements set by the Malaysian Department of Agriculture to obtain the phytosanitary certificate (PC) necessary for exporting the plants.
“Traditionally, orchids are exported to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. However, the risk to producers is very high because their entry must comply with strict quarantine conditions, especially regarding post-harvest quarantine treatment of orchids, which is not required for export to Dubai,” he said.
The export of the orchids to Dubai also involved Orchidmas Sdn Bhd, where its chief executive officer, Shiz Kassim said the delivery operation was very challenging, particularly in ensuring that the orchids, packed exclusively in the gold-coloured boxes, would stay fresh for at least 14 days.
“In terms of packaging, we also consider the buyer. Therefore, we designed this product to be ‘Ready to Display’ or ready to be exhibited. This time, we are adding value in the form of a ‘Gift-Box’, rather than just offering which can enhance the value of orchids cuttings in a premium gift box,” he said.
Each box contains a vase filled with Sodium Polyacrylate liquid to replace water along with two stalks of Mokara orchid cuttings that can stay fresh for at least two weeks.
The first batch of the orchids was exported via the Emirates flight service yesterday.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Nizam said several investors have expressed their interest in investing to develop the orchid industry, in addition to the floriculture industry, in Malaysia.
With more than 24,000 species of orchids worldwide and approximately 6,000 in Asia, Malaysia boasts over 1,000 orchid species, including the Mokara variety.
Mohamad Nizam noted that according to the Department of Agriculture’s observations, Mokara orchids are highly suitable for both local and export markets due to their extended freshness, lasting up to 14 days as cuttings.
Furthermore, Mokara orchid production in Malaysia yields better quality in terms of stem length and flower count compared to neighbouring countries such as Thailand. This advantage is attributed to Malaysia’s climate, which is more conducive to orchid production and meets export quality standards.
Previously, it was reported that orchid exports generated RM4 billion (US$0.837 billion) in revenue for Malaysia’s floriculture industry, driven by high demand from foreign markets.
— BERNAMA
