logo
China's durian imports from Malaysia to rise 15-20 pct in 2025

China's durian imports from Malaysia to rise 15-20 pct in 2025

The Sun02-05-2025

BEIJING: The volume of China's durian imports from Malaysia is expected to increase by between 15 and 20 per cent this year, driven by sustained consumer demand despite recent weather-related challenges in Malaysia, according to the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MayCham).
Its chairman Loh Wee Keng said demand from Chinese consumers continues to outpace supply, particularly for premium varieties such as Musang King and D24.
'Although heavy rain in Malaysia caused some fruits to drop prematurely, I foresee the overall export volume this year to be 15 to 20 per cent higher compared to last year,' he told Bernama, adding that demand remains robust in the China market.
He explained that Malaysia's Musang King continues to command strong interest, especially among premium fruit consumers in China.
'Right now, it's impossible to get Grade A Musang King below RM30 per kilogramme (kg) at farm price. During the off-season like May, prices can go up to RM80 per kg. For D24, the lowest is about RM15 per kg,' he said.
According to China's Ministry of Agriculture, the country imported 19.25 million kg of durians from Malaysia worth US$212.05 million (RM1 billion) between January and December 2024.
Fifteen years ago, Loh said the farm price for frozen Musang King was about RM25 per kg and could drop as low as RM12 per kg during peak season.
'While for frozen D24, the highest could be RM15 per kg, the lowest can come to RM3 per kg,' he said.
He also said Malaysia started to export durians to China since 2010.
'We are not competing with Thai durians because the prices and quality are completely separate matters. We are actually competing with kiwis and cherries as well as those products from Japan such as strawberries and grapes,' he pointed out.
Loh, who had pioneered Malaysia's frozen durian exports to China following Beijing's approval in 2011, said industry players must protect the integrity of the Malaysian durian brands in China.
'Some traders mislabel kampung durians and sell them as Musang King to get higher profits. This is damaging. Even kampung durians have a market if sold honestly.
'We have to educate Chinese consumers on the real characteristics of Musang King, D24 and others,' he emphasised.
He also said the Chinese government has been very supportive and has shown leniency on Malaysian durian exports due to strong diplomatic ties.
Hence, he said the businesses must maintain the reputation and bilateral relations.
Commenting on attempts to cultivate Musang King in China's Hainan island, Loh said the results have not matched the standards of Malaysian-grown durians.
'There was initial excitement, but it faded quickly. The taste is different due to the soil and climate. My friend also tried growing it here, but it wasn't successful. Hainan Musang King cannot replace the Malaysian original,' he added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

1st Meeting Of China-US Economic, Trade Consultation Mechanism Opens In London, Attracting Global Attention
1st Meeting Of China-US Economic, Trade Consultation Mechanism Opens In London, Attracting Global Attention

Barnama

timean hour ago

  • Barnama

1st Meeting Of China-US Economic, Trade Consultation Mechanism Opens In London, Attracting Global Attention

WORLD U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese vice premier He Lifeng pose for a photo with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and China's International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang, in London, Britain June 9, 2025. United States Treasury/Handout via REUTERS LONDON, June 10 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism opened here on Monday, attracting global attention. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the meeting with US representatives, Xinhua news agency reported. Business leaders welcomed the meeting, expecting win-win outcomes. "Only through mutual respect can we achieve win-win cooperation," said Yang Ming, CEO of Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology company. Attend the ongoing London Tech Week events, Yang said she wished to see normalised economic and trade relations restored between the two nations, calling on both governments to strengthen collaboration in AI and join forces to create new frontiers in global innovation. OBE Chief Executive Officer at London & Partners Laura Citron told Xinhua that stable trade relationships between the biggest economies in the world would always be a good thing for the global economy, adding that London as a city is a very outward-facing trading economy. "We're very keen to see strong and predictable trade relationships between the U.S. and China," she said. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties
Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties

Malaysia Sun

timean hour ago

  • Malaysia Sun

Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is seeking strengthened economic and trade ties with Poland while reaffirming the importance of free and open trade, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Polish President Andrzej Duda said here on Tuesday. They reaffirmed the importance of adhering to internationally accepted trade norms and multilateral engagement and cooperation, as this would be mutually beneficial, the leaders said in a joint statement during Duda's official visit to Malaysia from June 9 to 11. "The leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to open and inclusive trade and a fair, rules-based international trading system. They strongly reaffirmed their support for the swift advancement of the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) negotiations and stressed the importance of concluding the agreement at the earliest opportunity," they said. "Both sides agreed to promote balanced trade by reducing economic barriers, enhancing consultation mechanisms between relevant ministries, and fostering collaboration amongst business communities," they said, adding that friendly bilateral cooperation will facilitate cooperation in a number of new and emerging fields such as the digitalization of public services, green transition, particularly the hydrogen economy and renewable energy and the maritime economy. Anwar and Duda also agreed to cooperate on security matters, including enhancing the exchange of experiences and coordination in combating crime, including organized and international crime. Poland is Malaysia's important trading partner among EU member states. Malaysia's main exports to Poland include electrical and electronic products, rubber products and machinery, while main imports from Poland consist of machinery, equipment and spare parts, electrical and electronic products, and transport equipment.

Zimbabwe to ban lithium concentrate exports to boost value-added production
Zimbabwe to ban lithium concentrate exports to boost value-added production

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Zimbabwe to ban lithium concentrate exports to boost value-added production

HARARE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe, a major lithium producer in Africa, announced on Tuesday that it will ban the export of lithium concentrate from January 2027 to boost local refining and generate more revenue from the value-added mineral. Speaking at a post-cabinet media briefing, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said Zimbabwe is building capacity to produce battery-grade lithium through two major Chinese-invested companies Bikita Minerals and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe. He said the value-added facilities will process lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate, which is a direct input into lithium battery manufacturing. "The two major players are in the process of establishing lithium sulfate plants. As a country, we are moving to a stage where we are upgrading our lithium production to lithium sulfate. Because of that capacity which is now in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027," Chitando said. The minister urged lithium producers who are not investing in value-added facilities to sign tolling agreements with companies that have the processing capacity. Zimbabwe has begun exporting lithium concentrates following the 2022 ban on raw lithium ore exports. Zimbabwe has the largest lithium reserves in Africa. Due to growing global demand for the mineral, which is critical in the new energy drive, the country has witnessed huge investments in the lithium sector in recent years.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store