Indonesia is targeting a larger share of the global durian market after China, the leading importer, rejected over 100 containers from Thailand due to contamination with the dye "Basic Yellow 2" (BY2). This situation "will create an opportunity for Indonesia to supply durian directly to China," according to Liferdi Lukman, director of floriculture at the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry's Horticulture Directorate General.
Efforts to enter the Chinese market are underway, with an agreement pending on frozen durian shipments, anticipated next month. "Fresh durian will be audited by GACC (China customs) to the plantation and packing house in Central Sulawesi around the end of February 2025 to prepare a fresh durian export protocol," he told The Jakarta Post.
In 2023, Indonesia produced approximately 1.83 million tonnes of durian, underscoring the fruit's prominence in Southeast Asia. Thailand, traditionally dominant in global durian trade, saw a decline in exports to China from 991,577 tonnes in 2023 to 859,183 tonnes in 2024, with value dropping from US$4.12 billion to $3.75 billion, as noted by the Bangkok Post.
Experts see Indonesia's potential to compete with Thailand, although logistical challenges exist. "Indonesia is quite far from China," says Sigit Puruwanto, a durian expert. The proximity of Vietnam, a close neighbor, poses additional competition due to its ability to export fresh durian more easily.
While Indonesia could increase its market share, Sigit highlights the government's current focus on rice and sugar production. "Maybe in the coming years, we will see Indonesia produce a wider variety of durian," he suggests. Central Sulawesi, already exporting Montong durian to China, shows interest in cultivation, and with investments in logistics, Indonesia's durian industry might expand further.
Source: Aisa News Network
