PONTIAN: Malaysia is expected to start exporting fresh durian to China by October, with the fruit’s export being part of 14 memorandums of understanding signed on June 19.
Deputy agriculture and food security minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said the MoUs previously only gave Malaysia the green light to export durian, but the actual date was not confirmed.
He said having received a consensus from all parties, the export of fresh durian to China is expected to start either in September or October at the latest if the fruit can pass the biosafety test there.
“We previously exported frozen durian to China, but after the MoU, Malaysia will start exporting fresh durian due to demand for the fruit there.
“However, the actual amount to be exported depends on the General Administration of Customs of China,” he said after attending a meeting with farmers and fishermen at the Benut Area Farmers Organisation here today.
Arthur said the durian producers should ensure that local supply is sufficient even though the country is expected to export fresh durian on a large scale.
“The demand for local durian is usually more than enough. Last year, Malaysia exported fruits worth RM2 billion, of which 56% were durians,” he said. - FMT
