PETALING JAYA ( WNAM MONITORING): Malaysia’s prized Harumanis mango industry is poised for significant growth over the next decade, driven by surging demand and vast untapped export potential even as supply struggles to keep pace and counterfeit products threaten consumer confidence.
Industry players say the premium fruit, synonymous with Perlis, remains underexploited in both domestic and international markets, signalling strong headroom for expansion.
“At present, the fruit has not yet been exported on a large scale and even local demand has not been fully met. This indicates that the market opportunity ahead remains wide and promising,” he said.
However, he warned that the long-standing issue of counterfeit Harumanis continues to undermine trust in the market.
“Customers often ask about the differences and why fake products exist. Some dishonest sellers take advantage of the situation.”
Muhammad Abqari said two main forms of deception persist. The first involves mislabelling where imported mangoes from countries such as Thailand and Cambodia which are similar in appearance are falsely marketed as Harumanis from Perlis.
The second involves quality manipulation, where unripe fruits are harvested and sold prematurely.
“This results in a sour taste, leading to complaints and damaging the reputation of genuine Harumanis, as consumers may believe they have been misled.”
He added that such practices have left some consumers sceptical, underscoring the need for stronger public awareness and industry-wide efforts to educate buyers on identifying authentic Harumanis.
Muhammad Abqari also explained that the fruit’s premium pricing reflects its labour-intensive cultivation process.
“Unlike more common varieties, Harumanis requires meticulous management – from maintaining soil health and nurturing trees to ensuring quality flowering and producing high-grade fruit.
The process is labour-intensive and incurs high costs.”
Compounding the challenge is its highly seasonal nature. Harumanis is harvested only once a year, typically between March and May, with a production window lasting about two to two-and-a-half months.
“Harumanis does not have overlapping harvest periods in other regions.
Once the season ends, consumers must wait until the following year,” he said.
Looking ahead, he urged industry players to raise quality standards to safeguard the fruit’s reputation, while calling on consumers to remain vigilant against counterfeit or substandard products.
Meanwhile, C’Manis Marketing entrepreneur Noor Asyikin Osman, 52, said product diversification is key to unlocking the fruit’s full commercial potential beyond its short harvest season.
She said value-added offerings such as Harumanis chilli sauce, jam and cordial are gaining traction among consumers. “The inspiration came from its seasonal nature.
Harumanis is only available once a year, so consumers can enjoy it only for a limited period.
“By developing value-added products, customers are now able to enjoy Harumanis throughout the year,” she said.
Noor Asyikin said she began her business in 2023 with cordial and juice products before expanding into other offerings, driven by encouraging customer response.
“The products are made using pure Harumanis mango, which contributes to their strong aroma and distinctive flavour.
“However, prices are slightly higher than market alternatives due to the high cost of raw fruit, with some products such as jam priced at nearly double,” she said.
Currently, the products are distributed mainly within Perlis through hotels, retail outlets and online platforms.
“Sales have been very positive, showing steady and encouraging growth year after year,” she said, adding that Harumanis-based products hold strong potential for expansion both domestically and internationally.
