PETALING JAYA: Following the approval to export fresh durians to China, a leading industry player anticipated that the first shipment would reach China in about two months’ time.

Malaysia Durian Exporters Association president Sam Tan said that more than 30 small and medium durian farmers and exporters have registered with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, expressing their interest to export.

“We are now going through the protocol and due diligence stage following the signing of the Phytosanitary Requirements Protocol for the Export of Fresh Durian from Malaysia to China.

“This time, the minimum requirement for exporters is to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification and Malaysian Food Safety System certification (MeSTI).

“It would be a bonus if they also have the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification from the Health Ministry.

“As long as the fresh durians are free from pests, holes and dirt, they can be sent to China,” he said in an interview yesterday.

He noted that farmers with small-scale packaging facility can also apply to be included in the list of fresh durian exporters to China, while more operators are expected to sign up.

Tan said the ministry is expected to submit the list of exporters to China’s Customs Administration in the coming weeks.

“We believe more than 100 operators will be a part of this group of inaugural exporters, but there is no limit on the number of participants,” he said.

He said the ministry had, in the last week, issued updated procedures for businesses, involving pest control, preventing soil contact, and mandating only fresh durians for export, irrespective of whether they fell, were picked, underwent grading at the factory and were cleaned and dried.

“Primary beneficiaries of these fresh durians will be first-tier cities in China – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

“The people there have bigger spending power for premium durians and these cities have better logistic connectivity to receive the fresh fruits.”

Tan, who is executive director of MAPC Sdn Bhd, a major durian supplier, noted that exporting durians that ripen on trees to China poses logistical challenges that require all agencies to fast-track clearance.

If these spiky and pungent fruits are not promptly cleared by Customs to reach consumers, the quality, taste and texture may be compromised, defeating the purpose of meticulously flying them fresh overseas, he said.

Due to its intense aroma, he said durians can only be transported via cargo flights, which are not available daily.

“This limitation requires significant coordination with the transport, Customs and agriculture departments to prevent delays that could spoil the durians.

“We need a multi-ministry task force to address any possible teething issues and ad-hoc problems related to transport and Customs clearance,” he said.

While China imported about US$6.7bil (RM31.54bil) worth of durians in 2023, Tan said Malaysia must increase government funding to support research and development and promotional efforts due to the vast potential market.

“The additional funding and increased promotion and R&D are crucial to educate consumers and stakeholders on the unique qualities of Malaysian durians.”

Durian Manufacturer Association president Eric Chan also called for greater collaboration to establish a multi-ministry task force with standard operating procedures in place to prevent compromises in quality by capitalist players.

“Cooperation between the government and industry players is vital to streamline the process of exporting fresh durian,” he said.

Chan, who came from a family of durian planters in Raub, Pahang, said China imports about 1.45 million tonnes of durian from various countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

“However, Malaysia only exports about 24,867 tonnes, accounting for less than 2% of China’s total durian imports.

“Allowing fresh durian exports could potentially double or triple Malaysia’s export volume, offering a significant opportunity in China’s niche market.”

Tan agreed that Malaysian farmers need to enhance their capabilities to meet the demand for fresh durian.

“Thailand is doing better in their R&D although their durians are priced cheaper. We need to keep up to maintain our premium status.

“We must also educate international consumers about our durians, like how to handle, open and taste it, why it is not necessarily round and sweet, and what the layers of flavours mean,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/26/speedy-process-key-to-success-of-fresh-durian-exports