Outgoing Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang said soaring Malaysian durian prices cannot be attributed to the demand from his country alone.
While acknowledging that there is an increasing demand in China for the fruit, he urged Malaysian producers to ramp up production.
On a personal note, he said he does not indulge in the fruit, known for its pungent taste and high calorie count.
"I have high sugar levels. My doctor said that even if I liked the fruit, I can't have it.
"Then again, I don't like durians," said Huang, according to China Press.
Huang spoke to several Chinese dailies yesterday, ahead of his departure from the Chinese embassy next week.
Many Malaysians in the peninsula have complained about pricey durians this season.
This was made worse when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took credit for opening new markets for the fruit in China.
"I want to tell all of you here, that I was the one responsible for getting permission for durian to be exported to China," he told a gathering of farmers a month ago.
However, several durian traders told Malaysiakini that the sudden price increase was more likely due to increased local demand and weather conditions.- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.