Malaysia is working to diversify its durian exports, moving beyond the well-known Musang King to include other premium cultivars. Datuk Nor Sam Alwi, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, highlighted efforts to spotlight varieties such as Black Thorn, Red Prawn, and Hajah Hasmah in the global market. "These varieties are being evaluated for future certification and export readiness, based on their potential in terms of taste, texture, shelf life, and suitability for long-distance shipping," Nor Sam told The Star.
The Chinese market, the largest consumer of durians, is willing to pay premium prices for these variants. To align with this demand, Malaysia is registering more local cultivars and enhancing agronomic evaluations. The Department of Agriculture is also focusing on ensuring farms meet the import standards of destination markets, which involves pest control, traceability, and certification.
Abdul Rashid Bahri, of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, noted that other varieties like IOI and D9 are also under assessment to ensure compliance with export standards, including China's phytosanitary rules. The agency aims to broaden market reach to include the U.K., Canada, the UAE, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Malaysia houses over 200 registered durian varieties, with Musang King historically dominating exports. Recent developments in the durian sector highlight varieties such as Tupai King. Moreover, cultivars like Hor Lor, Mas Hijau, and D24 are gaining attention.
According to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, consumer interest is shifting towards a wider array of flavors, driving demand for new hybrids suited for international markets. The MDUR 88 hybrid, now called "MARDI Super 88" (MS88), is being promoted by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. "We believe that our own developed hybrids, particularly MDUR 88, have the characteristics and quality to compete in the international market."
Malaysia's durian production is on the rise, expected to reach 570,000 tons in 2023, up from 390,635 tons in 2020. The expansion aligns with Malaysia's strategy to target premium markets. As Top Fruits' CEO Tan Sue Yee noted, the focus is on high-end varieties such as D198, Golden Phoenix, and IOI, stating, "But we have to find the right variety and the right quantity for us to export."
A major change in 2022 allowed Malaysia to export fresh durians to China, expanding beyond frozen shipments. With this development, businesses are emphasizing the introduction of diverse durian types to the global stage.
Source: VNExpress
