Export of agricultural products to Singapore has increased, not affected by MCO, says Kiandee

JOHOR BARU: Export of agricultural products to Singapore from January to October has increased by 44% compared with the same period last year.

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said that two million tonnes of vegetables and fruits worth RM3.48bil were exported to the republic in the first 10 months of the year.

He said the exports were via the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) at Johor Causeway here and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) at the Second Link Crossing in Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah.

“The movement control order implemented in March 2020, did not have any impact on the export of the products to Singapore via the BSI CIQ,’’ Kiandee said in a statement Friday (Oct 22).

He said this after visiting the BSI CIQ on Friday (Oct 22) to have a first-hand look at the operations. Ronald said 364,012 tonnes of products were exported to Singapore in 2020, compared with 279,218 tonnes in 2019, and the number is expected to increase this year based on 393,189 tonnes recorded from January to October.

He said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) at BSI had also foiled 37 cases of attempting to bring in and out illegal agro-food products until last month worth RM1.35mil compared with 38 cases throughout 2020, valued at RM1.2mil.

“We will continue to beef up our operations at our borders to ensure food security, disease control and risk of entry of dangerous pests which could threaten our agriculture and livestock industries,’’ said Kiandee.