According to a report by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) on July 18, Chen Hongjian, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia, called on practitioners in the durian industry to strictly abide by the current plant quarantine agreements for exports to China. They should not adopt new export methods without the approval of both China and Malaysia, in order not to affect market access in China and the interests of the entire industry.
June 23, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. People purchasing durian. IC Photo
Chen Hongjian made the above statement after hosting a industry symposium on the export plan of 'pre-cut durian' to China. He said that it took years of negotiations between China and Malaysia for Malaysian fresh durian to enter the Chinese market in 2024. Currently, all exports must comply with the plant quarantine agreement jointly agreed upon by both parties and the General Administration of Customs of China.
He emphasized: "We cannot take any risk that could undermine China's confidence in the Malaysian regulatory system. Any new practices that are not agreed upon by both parties or inconsistent with existing agreements should not be implemented by companies without authorization. Otherwise, the affected will not be just the relevant companies, but also the entire durian industry in Malaysia could be at risk."
Reports indicate that some industry players believe that “pre-cut durian” could extend the shelf life, reduce logistics costs, and expand sales channels in the Chinese market. However, the Malaysian government stated that it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether this method meets quarantine requirements, as well as its impact on food safety, quality control, and product traceability. At the same time, efforts should be made to avoid damaging the high-end brand image of Malaysia’s ripe durian products.
Data shows that the export value of Malaysia durian will reach 1.1 billion ringgits in 2025, with exports amounting to 45,300 tons. Among these exports, the Chinese market accounts for 868 million ringgits, which is approximately 14.8 billion yuan, representing about 79% of the total export value. The Chinese market remains Malaysia durian’s largest export destination.
