Access was granted on 19 June subject to phytosanitary requirements
Malaysian minister of agriculture and food security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, has told the Dewan Rakyat (the parliament’s lower house) he expects the export of fresh durian to China to commence in the third quarter of this year, according to local news reports.
The statement, which occurred during the minister’s question time, follows the signing of the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian from Malaysia to China on 19 June.
“Only orchards and durian fruit packing facilities that apply and are registered with the Department of Agriculture, comply with myGAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards, and receive approval from General Administration of Customs China (GACC) by meeting the conditions set out in the protocol, will be allowed to export fresh durian fruit to China,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through the Department of Agriculture, is finalising the Phytosanitary Certificate with GACC and is also in the process of submitting a list of existing durian farms and packaging facilities that have been exporting to China for approval to export fresh durians.
“The ministry also expects the approval process for registration with GACC to take two to three months,” Mohamad Sabu said.
Malaysia gained access to China for durian paste or pulp in 2011 with frozen durian access following in 2018. Gaining access for fresh durian has been a long-term priority.
