PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's bird's nest exports to China have resumed following a temporary suspension due to concerns over Newcastle disease.
Federation of Malaysia Bird’s Nest Merchants’ Association president Allen Tan confirmed the development, noting that the Malaysian Veterinary Department has now cleared the way for exports.
Allan Tan"The disease affects only poultry like chickens and ducks, not swifts," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 15).
He also mentioned that the General Administration of Customs of China and the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department have reached an agreement, officially resuming the full export of Malaysian bird's nests (including raw and processed bird's nests) to China.
This agreement allows for the full resumption of bird's nest exports to China, including both raw and cleaned products. Exporters are required to adhere to stringent safety measures, including heat treatment and packaging sanitation, to meet the food safety standards of both countries.
An online briefing by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is scheduled for Thursday (16 Jan) at 3pm to provide further details on the export agreement.
The Federation is committed to maintaining industry standards and enhancing the reputation and competitiveness of Malaysia's bird's nest industry globally.
Recently, Malaysia faced a temporary ban on bird's nest exports to China due to a Newcastle disease outbreak. Newcastle disease is a contagious viral disease that affects birds, primarily poultry like chickens and ducks.
The ban was imposed as a precautionary measure after the World Organisation for Animal Health reported the outbreak in Malaysia.
The suspension affected both raw-cleaned and raw-uncleaned edible bird nests, which are major export products for Malaysia.
The decision to halt exports was made by the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department to ensure that the disease did not pose a threat to the bird's nest products intended for the Chinese market.
China is a significant market for Malaysian bird's nests, accounting for a substantial portion of Malaysia's exports.
In 2023, Malaysia exported 155.5 tonnes of bird's nests to China, representing 27.9% of China's total imports of this delicacy, marking nine consecutive years of growth.
