According to Lianhe Zaobao, Malaysia's Agriculture Ministry is seeking approval from China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) to export fresh whole-fruit durians to China. Nor Sam Alwi, deputy director-general (Management and regulation) of the country's agriculture Ministry, said Malaysia hoped to get the approval in time for the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations next year. "Currently, Malaysia is only allowed to export frozen whole fruits, pulp and puree to China, unlike Thailand and Vietnam which are already allowed to export fresh durians to China," she said. China is the largest durian export market due to the Chinese people's love for durian, and we will try to tap into that market by exporting fresh durians, "he said.

Recently, the General Administration of Customs of China visited Kafu Success (M) Sdn.Bhd., to inspect the farm's management of durian harvest as well as pest control and post-harvest treatment. Nor Sam Alwi told reporters after China's General Administration of Customs visited Jafu Group Durian Ecological Farm, "In China, Musang King is one of the breeds that is in high demand. Malaysia is focusing on growing Musang King for export, with nearly 50% of durian plantations in the country being Musang King varieties."

Jafu Group chief executive officer Datuk Wong Chong Lim said during the visit that they are fully prepared to meet all requirements and regulations for exporting fresh durians to China if approved by the General Administration of Customs. "Jafu's durian farms are now allowed to export about 1,000 tons of frozen durians to China each year, and this quota is expected to increase if export permits for fresh durians are granted," he said.

Malaysian durians are currently exported in whole fruit, pulp, puree, processed products and freeze-dried form to many countries, including China. To capture market share in China, the Malaysian government has encouraged large-scale cultivation of durians and plans to increase durian exports by 50% by 2030. According to Malaysian estimates, the next decade "Musang King" based durian production will be 2-3 times, when the price will be more stable.

Malaysian durians have not fared well in the Chinese market in recent years. Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture data show that in 2022, Malaysia's durian exports were only 1,880 tons, RM57 million (about 86.43 million yuan), down 38% from 2021. Malaysia's durian exports to China in 2021 amounted to 3,406 tonnes worth RM65.2 million (about 98.86 million yuan) and 930 tonnes worth RM38 million (about 57.62 million yuan) in 2022. The volume is less than a fraction of Thailand's durian exports to China, and far less than the durian from Vietnam, which was only granted access last year.

In the Chinese market, the price of Malaysian frozen Musang King durian is almost always maintained at a high level. Musang King durian's unique fragrance is popular with consumers, but its high price has limited sales. Now in Malaysia, where Musang King durian is produced, the price of the variety has dropped significantly, and the purchase price this year is about RM10-15/kg (that is, 15-23 yuan/jin). Some people said that due to the surge in Malaysia's Musang King durian production, the price will also be further reduced.

Previously, the price of frozen Musang King durian was too high for most consumers to be interested in consuming this expensive fruit. With the influx of durians from Thailand and Vietnam, the high-priced Musang King durian will gradually shrink its living space if it does not reduce its price. Thailand and Vietnam are also studying the cultivation of Musang King durian, and some low-cost Thai Musang King durian has entered the Chinese market for sale. In this context, the export of fresh durians with lower costs will become a favorable means for Malaysian durians to compete in the Chinese market.