Penang: Penang remains unaffected by the issue of cloned durians failing to meet export standards due to its mature and well-regulated Musang King cultivation. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol stated that most Musang King durian trees in Penang are over 10 years old, which contributes to stable produce quality and compliance with export market requirements.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized that the cultivation of Musang King durians in Penang is not conducted hastily or excessively but follows a mature phase, allowing for effective quality management. Feedback from the Penang Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) indicates that the quality of cloned durians grown in the state meets set export standards.

He further explained that this controlled approach has prevented durian dumping in the local market, as production for the current season has not yet commenced. The Musang King durian trees in Penang are currently at the flowering stage, with the first harvest anticipated by the end of April 2026.

Fahmi assured that the state government would continue to monitor the market and collaborate with FAMA and relevant agencies to ensure that durian production, quality, and marketing remain regulated, safeguarding the interests of local farmers and traders.

Last Friday, FAMA deputy director-general (Food Security and Operations) Faisal Iswardi Ismail noted that cloned varieties such as Musang King not meeting export standards were leading to an oversupply of durians in the local market. He highlighted that the glut was also due to durians from orchards under 10 years old, which produced lower-quality fruit that did not meet export requirements for markets such as China and Singapore.