A worker shows a Musang King variety of durian at a shop in Kuala Lumpur on July 8, 2020. Photo by AFP
Malaysia expects its durian exports to China to grow by 20-25% this year amid increasing demand and expanding domestic production.
The projection is grounded in the ongoing expansion of farming land and processing facilities, and strengthened commercial relationships coupled with promotional initiatives, according to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, as cited by The Star.
Several states are making moves to boost durian cultivation. One example is Kelantan, where 3,000 hectares have been designated for Musang King durian plantations, he said, referring to the famous durian variety that is mostly grown in Malaysia.
Durian farmers suggest that China’s recent import restrictions on fresh durians coming from Vietnam and Thailand will further amplify the demand for Malaysian durians.
Sam Tan, president of the Malaysia Durian Exporters Association, has called on the government to enact a policy prohibiting the pre-cutting of durians to safeguard the integrity of Malaysian durian quality.
He said that farmers in Thailand and Vietnam often cut the fruit before they are ripe for more convenience in transportation.
Malaysian durians, however, are allowed to ripen naturally and are collected only after they have fallen from the tree.
Tan added that this natural ripening process results in a product free from chemicals, which is highly valued in markets like China.
Malaysia exported MYR24.8 million (US$5.5 million) worth of fresh durian to China in the last four months of 2024 after an export protocol between the two countries were signed in June.
China imported a record US$6.99 billion worth of durian last year, up 4.1% from 2023.
Its top supplier was Thailand, followed by Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
