The Issues and Challenges in Complying with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures in Exporting Malaysian Fruits

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to identify the issues and challenges faced by Malaysian fruitproducers and exporters in complying with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures of the importingcountries. Due to these measures, the exportation of high-value tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple,durian and starfruit to countries with strict SPS measures such as Australia, China, Japan and EuropeanUnion are subjected to additional export requirements such as a single pre-export phytosanitary treatmenton fruits or multiple measures applied at critical points along the fruit supply chain. Apart from the increasein exportation cost, phytosanitary treatments could reduce fruit quality and shelf life when fruits are exposedto certain fumigants and high or low temperatures as required in the import conditions. Suitable SPSmeasures are needed to ensure that fruit quality for export was not affected whilst achieving appropriatelevel of protection against movement of pest and disease of concern. Export stakeholders must be equippedwith the right knowledge and tools to undertake effective SPS measures on their produces. The approval ofmarket access into Japan and China for mango, pineapple and durian in recent times proved that theMalaysian fruit producers are competent in complying with the SPS requirements of these countries. Thisstudy showed that the lack of proper coordination and information exchange among related governmentdepartments and agencies would make it more difficult for Malaysian tropical fruits to penetrate newmarkets with stringent SPS measures.