Indonesia and China have reached an agreement on the protocol for frozen durian exports, allowing Indonesia's durian to enter the Chinese market. Eliza Mardian, a researcher at the Center of Reform on Economics Indonesia, remarked, "Indonesian durian has a great opportunity in the Chinese market, depending on how we can produce durian that can compete with durian from other countries."
China leads in durian consumption globally, yet Indonesian exports to China are minimal. Statistics Indonesia data shows only 27 tons of durian were exported to China last year out of almost 2 million tons produced, and no durian was exported from January to May 2025.
Logistical and licensing challenges have previously hindered exports. The new protocol acknowledges the Indonesian Quarantine Agency's role in ensuring the food safety of frozen durian products. This is anticipated to mitigate past licensing challenges.
Mardian urged Indonesia to offer various support to durian farmers, including widespread dissemination of export requirements, facilitation of plant health certification, access to capital, and better logistics networks and infrastructure, such as frozen storage facilities.
The agreement is welcomed by stakeholders in Central Sulawesi Province, a key durian region. Parigi Moutong Regency, the main production area, has over 1,100 hectares of plantations with over 110,000 trees. It also has 16 packaging houses that meet international standards, indicating readiness for export.
Central Sulawesi's Governor, Anwar Hafid, affirmed commitment to developing the local durian industry, emphasizing the potential for penetrating the Chinese market.
Source: Xinhua
