Export of swiftlet birds’ nests to soar to RM1.5 bil

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub with packets of swiftlet birds’ nests at the Raw Unclean Edible Birdnest Processing Centre in Petaling Jaya. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The export of swiftlet birds’ nests is expected to hit the RM1.5 billion mark this year from RM1.1 billion last year, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

He said the increase is due to Malaysia’s ability to produce quality nests especially for the Chinese market.

“The export value is for clean and raw swiftlet birds’ nests. However, companies processing clean nests are encouraged to move downstream to health and beauty products.

“These products are in high demand in the Chinese market. Besides China, which is the main export market for birds’ nests, we are marketing to Vietnam and Taiwan. There are also plans to expand to other countries,” he told reporters after opening the Raw Unclean Edible Birdnest Processing Centre, owned by Netfarm International Sdn Bhd, here today.

Salahuddin said there are 11,000 registered swiftlet birds’ nest premises in the country, of which 2,000 have received myGAP (Malaysian Good Agricultural Practice) certification.

“We will help more premises to obtain the certification, which guarantees the birds’ nests are of good quality and complies with good practices,” he said. - FMT