China's imports of Malaysian durians are forecasted to grow by 15 to 20 per cent in 2025, driven by ongoing consumer demand for premium varieties, as reported by the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MayCham).
Chairman Loh Wee Keng indicated that despite Malaysia experiencing heavy rainfall, which caused some fruits to drop prematurely, the total export volume is still anticipated to surpass last year's figures. "Although heavy rain in Malaysia caused some fruits to drop prematurely, I foresee the overall export volume this year to be 15 to 20 per cent higher compared to last year," he told Bernama, highlighting the continuous demand for Malaysian durians in the Chinese market.
Loh pointed out that Malaysian Musang King durians are particularly favored by Chinese consumers who prefer premium fruits. "Right now, it's impossible to get Grade A Musang King below $6.30 per kilogram at farm price. During the off-season, like May, prices can go up to $16.80 per kg. For D24, the lowest is about $3.15 per kg," he stated.
According to data from China's Ministry of Agriculture, the country imported 19.25 million kilograms of Malaysian durians in 2024, valued at $212.05 million between January and December. Malaysia began exporting durians to China in 2010, following Beijing's formal approval in 2011.
Loh emphasized that Malaysian durians do not directly compete with Thai durians due to differences in pricing and quality. Instead, they compete with other premium fruits like kiwis and cherries from Japan. He also stressed the importance of maintaining brand integrity, warning against mislabeling lower-grade durians as Musang King for profit.
Discussing cultivation efforts in China, Loh remarked that Musang King durians grown on Hainan Island have not matched the quality of those produced in Malaysia. "The taste is different due to the soil and climate. My friend also tried growing it here, but it wasn't successful. Hainan Musang King cannot replace the Malaysian original," he noted.
Source: The Vibes
