The demand for Malaysian agricultural produce to the European Union (EU) is rising after producers successfully met the set standards.

The agricultural counsellor of the Malaysian Agricultural Representative Office in The Hague (PPP The Hague), Yusmizam Mohd Yahya, said the EU has set stringent certification standards, but producers of Malaysian agricultural products have well met it.

"This is evident from the demand and current exports of Malaysian agricultural products to Europe," he told Bernama in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, yesterday.

Yusmizam was met on the last day of the 'Malaysia Week' programme to promote Malaysia's agricultural products at the Wah Nam Hong supermarket at the Markthal (Market Hall).

The programme at Rotterdam, a port city about 80km from the capital Amsterdam, is the last in a series of such promotions for 2016 in Europe organised by the PPP The Hague.

Yusmizam said Malaysian fruits have been well received by Europe's large supermarkets as they met the international certification on good agricultural practices, Global GAP, while having an advantage in terms of quality.

He said in 2015, the export value of Malaysian fruits to Europe stood at RM43.41 million, compared to RM41.38 million the previous year.

Among the favoured fruits are starfruit, jackfruit and mangosteens.

"All producers are aware of the certification costs, but we have to comply, and search out international markets for the produce as domestic demand is limited," he added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz Sakiman, a director of DRS Trading Sdn Bhd, which exports tropical fruits, sees a big potential for Malaysian fruits in overseas markets.

Aziz said demand for exotic Malaysian fruits was always present and rising, particularly during the festive seasons as Christmas, and to date, his company had received large orders for star fruit and jackfruits.

DRS Trading Sdn Bhd, which last year also participated in the promotional week, exported about 366 tonnes of fruits, with 60 percent for the European market and 40 percent to West Asia.

The promotion in four European countries this year began at Malmo, Sweden, followed by Helsinki (Finland) and Bucharest (Romania) before ending in the Netherlands from Oct 31.

- Bernama