Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) anticipates that Malaysia’s durian exports will surpass RM1.5 billion this year, driven by substantial demand from key markets such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu revealed that the total value of the country’s durian exports has surged by 256.3 percent, equivalent to RM822.8 million over the past five years, increasing from RM321.2 million in 2018 to RM1.14 billion in 2022.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this rise signifies the potential of durian as a high-value agro-food commodity, contributing not only to the national economy but also creating economic opportunities across various levels. The minister emphasized the importance of promoting durian through festivals and programs to boost the growth of the agricultural sector, involving farmers, logistics, retailers, processing industries, and tourism.

Mohamad cited a report from global market research firm Mordor Intelligence (2024), projecting that the global fresh durian market will reach over USD10.78 billion in 2025 and rise to USD16.89 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4 percent. China remains a pivotal driver of this growth, accounting for more than 90 percent of durian imports in the Asia Pacific, making it a strategic market for Malaysian exporters.

On June 19, 2024, Malaysia secured the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian Fruit to China, unlocking new market access for the export of fresh durian from Malaysia. Previously, access to the Chinese market was restricted to durian pulp and paste in 2011, and frozen whole fruits in 2018.