ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM)’s first Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) facility in Kuala Kedah here will begin operations in July.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the IQF facility will be able to freeze fish individually, thus ensuring their freshness when hitting the market.
He said the initiative is expected to increase the country’s fish stockpile for usage during low-catch seasons.
Shabery said the RM2 million facility, located at the LKIM Collection and Distribution Centre here, will be managed by the Kuala Kedah Fishermen’s Association (Nekad).
He said the IQF facility has the capacity to freeze up to 600kg of fish per hour.
“The IQF facility will be used during the peak fish landing season of between Oct and Nov.
“The fish stockpile kept there will be distributed to markets during low catch seasons to avoid supply shortage,” he told reporters after visiting the Kuala Kedah Fish Landing Terminal here today.
He added that the IQF facility is an initiative by the ministry to prevent fish price hikes during times of supply shortage.