Agri dept seeking approval to export durians to China

King of fruits: Nor Sam (centre) and Wong (second from right) showing off a batch of harvested durians at Kafu Group Durian Eco Farm. — Bernama

ALOR GAJAH: The Agriculture Department is seeking approval from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to export fresh whole durians to the republic.

Its deputy director-general (Management and Regulatory) Nor Sam Alwi said Malaysia hoped to get the approval next year in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.

She said currently Malaysia was allowed to export only frozen durians in the form of whole fruit, pulp or paste to China, unlike Thailand and Vietnam, which had obtained approval to export fresh durians.

“China is the largest market for exporting durians due to its people’s love for the fruit. Thailand is the main exporter of the king of fruits. Therefore, we will try to penetrate that market by exporting fresh durians.

“In China, Musang King is among the varieties in high demand, and Malaysia is focusing on cultivating Musang King for export, with almost 50% of the country’s durian plantations planted with the variety,” she told Bernama after a GACC visit to the Kafu Group Durian Eco Farm here yesterday.

Nor Sam advised all durian farmers in the country to be well-prepared in various aspects to ensure they have the opportunity to export fresh durians to China, thereby enhancing their export value and market.

Commenting on the visit, she said it was to allow GACC to closely observe the management of the durian farm, including aspects of pest and disease control as well as post-harvest handling.

Kafu Group chief executive officer Datuk Wong Chong Lin, who was present during the visit, said they are fully prepared to meet all requirements and regulations on exporting fresh durians to China if approval is granted by GACC.

Durian farms under Kafu Group are now allowed to export approximately 1,000 tonnes of frozen durians to China yearly, and this quota is expected to increase if permission is granted for fresh durian exports, he said.