Malaysia’s bird’s nest industry set to soar

KUCHING: Malaysia will be able to export 10 tonnes of raw clean bird’s nests to China monthly once the number of processing plants in the country reaches 40 according to Federation of Malaysia Bird’s Nest Industry Merchants Associations president Dato Lee Kong Heng said in the first batch, eight processing plants in the country had already been accredited by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA).

While  the second batch, 11 others await accreditation by CNCA, 13 others were in the midst of submitting their applications to CNCA for third batch and 10 more were expected to be constructed in a year, he added.

“This industry is going to see a better position in the near future as we are optimistic that the nine or elevent processing plants would receive their official appointments by CNCA soon. The level of confidence on our raw clean bird’s nests among Chinese consumers has risen, and this is definitely good news for our processing plants,” he told a press conference before chairing the federation’s 8th annual general meeting at M Hotel here yesterday.

Ever since CNCA accredited the eight processing plants in April last year, Malaysia accumulated export of raw clean bird’s nests to China hit eight tonnes (valued RM64 million). Lee said it was only since early this year that the export volume had been picking up.

To a question, Lee said the market value for raw clean bird’s nest was about RM8,000 per kilogramme, not including import tax.

According to him, raw unclean bird’s nests in Malaysia were currently below its market value. The federation hoped to hike up the value with China and Malaysia collaborating on the export.

“We are hoping to get some results on the export of raw unclean bird’s nests soon. It is also hoped the price will increase and that such a move will benefit our ranches.

“We want those who are interested in the industry to hang in there because there is still hope. With more processing plants coming up, industry players will stay more competitive.”

Meanwhile, secretary Dato Tiger Lee said the federation would also work on expanding export market to Europe and the United States.

He added the federation would collaborate with the relevant ministries to materialise the export market expansion so as to promote sales.

“All our processing plants have engaged more workers by doubling the number. As such, our productions will double in the future.”

In Sarawak alone, there are three bird’s nest processing plants audited by CNCA in July 2014 last year– two in Kuching and the other one in Mukah. All facilities are among the elevent plants awaiting final accreditation.

It was understood that at least between RM1 million and RM2 million would be required to set up a processing plant.

Among those present were federation deputy president Allen Tan, vice president Liw Chong Liong and assistant secretary Phang Kam Wah.

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