Malaysia planning major durian fest in China

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is planning its own large-scale “Nanning Durian Festival” in October to showcase the range of products derived from the thorny King of Fruits.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the event would feature 250 products and 50 booths, and their China hosts would enjoy fresh durians.

“Right now, the only durian products allowed for import into China are processed, so the message we hope to send is for China’s General Administration of Quality Super­vision, Inspection and Quarantine (Aqsiq) to speed up approval for us to export fresh durians,” said Ahmad Shabery.

Malaysia’s durian exports to China have jumped since beginning in 2012, from RM1.57mil that year to RM18.02mil in 2016.

The exports consist mainly of frozen fruit, the pulp or derivative products.

Malaysia hopes to export RM23.4mil worth of products this year, with a target of RM92.5mil by 2020.

“We will also be talking to owners of unused land to start using their land for durian orchards again.

“Durian cultivation won’t use padi land or housing land. Hilly areas, for example, are suitable for durian cultivation,” Ahmad Shabery added.