The Penang Fruit Farmers Association has launched the digital authentication initiative to prevent durians from other states or countries from being marketed as Penang’s prized King of Fruits, as global demand for premium Malaysian durians continues to climb, as reported by The Star.
Each durian receives a QR code tag affixed to its stem, after which farmers register the fruit’s details on an online platform.
Association chairman Kie Kim Hwa said consumers need only scan the code with a smartphone camera to immediately retrieve information about the durian, including its origin and verification details.
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A durian seller shows the fruit sold at Jalan Alor Night Market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 17, 2026. Photo by Reuters |
Each QR code remains active for seven days from its first scan, he said, adding that farmers can source the tags through the association.
“We have a tech company operating the online database to track the durians and even issue alerts if duplication is detected.
“This helps ensure the authenticity of our Penang durians. Customers can also verify the fruits directly at stalls,” he said on Sunday.
The association counts approximately 250 members, comprising small and medium-scale orchard owners across Penang, of whom around 200 are actively engaged in durian cultivation.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu expressed support for the initiative, saying the QR code system reflects growers’ heightened focus on quality.
“Malaysian durians are renowned for their quality and that is why in some countries, there are cases where durians are falsely represented as Malaysian durians.
“We need to discuss this further with the Chinese authorities, including the General Administration of Customs China, to ensure Malaysian durians retain their branding identity and QR authentication system,” he said during a visit to durian stalls at Anjung Indah in Balik Pulau on Sunday.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the system would help protect the reputation of Penang durians, celebrated for their rich aroma and creamy texture.
In May last year, the Malaysian government urged more than 200 durian farmers in Penang to sign up for the “Track and Trace” system, a smart tagging platform designed to combat the spread of counterfeit durians, as reported by the state-owned news outlet Bernama.
