Processed bird's nest selling well

NANNING (China): STRINGENT measures imposed on the export of bird's nest to China have turned into a blessing for some Malaysian companies.

Several players in the industry are finding success as they venture downstream after the export of raw bird's nest was hindered because of claims of high nitrate content last year.

The response to the booths exhibiting bird's nest products at the Malaysia Pavilion in the Ninth China-Asean Expo was a clear indication of this.

Businessman Zuhari Abdullah said processed bird's nests were easier to export to China.

"We used to sell raw bird's nest but with the restrictions imposed by the authorities, we began looking into other options."

The entrepreneur, whose brand Thoyyibah is popular for its blended beverages of horse milk, kacip fatimah, tongkat ali and ginger products, has come up with a unique mix of bird's nest and coffee.

Intervention by the Malaysian government had helped ease restrictions with the signing of a protocol for inspection, quarantine and hygiene for export of bird's nest from Malaysia to China recently.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar signed the protocol with his counterpart in China, Zhi Shuping, Minister of Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

In July last year, China tightened restrictions after it allegedly found samples of a product that contained 200 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate.

The standard level allowed by the World Health Organisation is 34ppm.

For raw bird's nest supplier Kien Wong, however, the scenario was a cause for worry.

"I do not know who to turn to, whether in Malaysia or China.

"There are restrictions which are hard for me to understand.

"Previously, it was more reasonable and this was why I ventured into this business six years ago," said Wong, who up until two years ago had 12 offices in China and one export office in Malaysia

Read more: Processed bird's nest selling well - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/processed-bird-s-nest-selling-well-1.147597#ixzz27NoW0pTU