KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has exported fresh durians and durian pulp to China totalling 115,359 tonnes worth RM6.37bil from 2018 to 2025, based on the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for durian exports.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said that Malaysia recorded exports of durian pulp and paste amounting to 3,555 tonnes worth RM202mil in 2018.
It said Malaysia began exporting frozen whole durians in June 2019, with 3,177 tonnes (RM143mil) exported, while pulp and paste increased to 5,239 tonnes (RM168mil).
"In 2020, frozen whole durian exports rose to 6,225 tonnes (RM286mil), while pulp and paste declined to 3,456 tonnes (RM171mil)," it said in a written reply on the Dewan Rakyat website on Monday (Oct 6).
In 2021, frozen whole durian exports to China doubled to 12,153 tonnes (RM577mil), while pulp and paste also increased to 5,895 tonnes (RM368mil).
The ministry was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) regarding the total tonnes and trade value of frozen durians, fresh durians, and durian pulp and paste exports to China from 2018 to 2025.
Further elaborating, the ministry reported that frozen whole durian exports to China continued to rise to 13,401 tonnes (RM1.277bil), while pulp and paste slightly decreased to 5,703 tonnes (RM326mil) in 2022.
In 2023, frozen whole durian exports to China were 13,983 tonnes (RM738mil), while pulp and paste exports doubled to 12,321 tonnes (RM623mil).
The ministry also reported that Malaysia began exporting fresh whole durians, frozen whole durian exports and pulp and paste to China starting in August 2024.
"Frozen whole durians are still being exported (in 2025), but decreased to 8,518 tonnes worth RM418mil, while pulp and paste exports declined to 11,611 tonnes worth RM579mil.
"As of June 2025, fresh durian exports to China have increased to 773 tonnes worth nearly RM50mil, frozen whole durians at 3,599 tonnes (RM183mil), and 'pulp and paste' at 5,241 tonnes (RM230mil)," it said.
Meanwhile, the ministry stated that it, through the Agriculture Department, remains committed to exploring new opportunities and expanding Malaysian durian exports to other markets such as Taiwan and Peru.
It added that the projected export value of Malaysian durians in 2030 is expected to reach RM1.8bil, involving an export volume of 69,000 tonnes. "Currently, the ministry is exploring new markets for durian products in Taiwan," it said. – Bernama
