JASIN, April 18 -- The country's pineapple export industry has not been affected by the current West Asia crisis even though a significant portion of the export market is in the Middle East.

Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh said this was due to high demand for the fruit in several other countries such as China, Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

"From the marketing aspect, we have a wider alternative to resolve the pineapple export issue in this West Asia crisis situation because exports to the Middle East only involve around 15 to 20 per cent.

"In addition, the production of the fruit to meet the demand for export to existing markets is still insufficient... for example in...