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 fruit
producers and exporters in complying with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures of the importing
countries. 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 European
Union are subjected to additional export requirements such as a single pre-export phytosanitary treatment
on fruits or multiple measures applied at critical points along the fruit supply chain. Apart from the increase
in exportation cost, phytosanitary treatments could reduce fruit quality and shelf life when fruits are exposed
to certain fumigants and high or low temperatures as required in the import conditions. Suitable SPS
measures are needed to ensure that fruit quality for export was not affected whilst achieving appropriate
level of protection against movement of pest and disease of concern. Export stakeholders must be equipped
with the right knowledge and tools to undertake effective SPS measures on their produces. The approval of
market access into Japan and China for mango, pineapple and durian in recent times proved that the
Malaysian fruit producers are competent in complying with the SPS requirements of these countries. This
study showed that the lack of proper coordination and information exchange among related government
departments and agencies would make it more difficult for Malaysian tropical fruits to penetrate new
markets with stringent SPS measures.