Access provides a significant boost for Malaysian industry and adds another supply source to China’s competitive durian market

China and Malaysia have signed a protocol allowing fresh Malaysian durian to be exported to China.

The deal was one of many signed on 19 June as Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.

Malaysia gained access to China for durian pulp in 2011 and whole frozen durian in 2018 but gaining access for fresh durian has been a long-term priority.

Ibrahim’s office said Malaysia’s frozen durian export value to China has surged from M$170m (US$36 million) in 2018 to nearly M$1.2bn (US$255m) last year.

According to a report from The Malaysian Reserve, Malaysian agriculture and food security minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said gaining access would help the local durian industry grow further and increase the value of the country’s exports.

“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) is confident that the implementation of this protocol will spur the growth of local durian cultivation industry and create more opportunities to over 63,000 durian growers nationwide,” he said.

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