China's durian imports from Malaysia to rise 15-20 pct in 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Asean eyes stronger economic ties with Norway in green and digital sectors
JAKARTA: Asean is looking to deepen its partnership with Norway to advance green growth, digital innovation, and sustainable development across Southeast Asia, as the region navigates evolving climate challenges, economic transformation, and shifting global dynamics. Secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn said Norway's expertise in renewable energy, maritime innovation, digital technology, and sustainable aquaculture makes it a natural partner in advancing the region's long-term goals. "Norway's global leadership in green solutions and the blue economy aligns closely with Asean's sustainability goals and development priorities," he said at a dinner reception with the Asean Committee and other stakeholders on Monday, according to a statement released by the Asean Secretariat on Tuesday. The event was hosted by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Norway, Teuku Faizasyah, at his official residence in Oslo. Also in attendance was the Ambassador of Norway to Asean, Kjell Tormod Pettersen. Kao also highlighted education, research, and innovation as vital areas to nurture the talent and technology that will shape the bloc's future. According to data from the secretariat, bilateral trade between Asean and Norway reached US$3.6 billion in 2024, while Norwegian foreign direct investment totalled US$22.5 million. While the numbers are encouraging, he emphasised that there is significant untapped potential and called for bold and practical steps to advance the partnership to the next level. "In today's global landscape marked by rising protectionism and mounting geopolitical uncertainties, collaborating with like-minded partners all over the world such as Norway becomes ever more critical to upholding open, inclusive, and rules-based economic cooperation," he added. Kao is on a working visit to Norway from June 9 to 12 with stops in Oslo and Bergen at the invitation of the Norwegian government, marking 10 years of the Asean-Norway Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, was recognised as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Asean at the 48th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting on August 4, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. – Bernama
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
EU proposes lowering Russia oil price cap in new sanctions
BRUSSELS: The European Union on Tuesday proposed slashing a price cap on Russia's global oil exports, as part of a new package of sanctions over the Ukraine war. The move comes ahead of a G7 summit in Canada next week where allies will push US President Donald Trump to be more aggressive in punishing the Kremlin. 'We are ramping up pressure on Russia, because strength is the only language that Russia will understand,' European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. 'Our message is very clear, this war must end. We need a real ceasefire, and Russia has to come to the negotiating table with a serious proposal.' The European Commission, the EU's executive, suggested cutting the current oil price cap from $60 to $45 as Moscow drags its feet on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The cap is a G7 initiative aimed at limiting the amount of money Russia makes by exporting oil to countries across the world. The oil price cap, set at $60 by the G7 in 2022, is designed to limit the price Moscow can sell oil around the world by banning shipping firms and insurance companies dealing with Russia to export above that amount. To have most impact the EU and other G7 partners need to get the United States to follow suit and agree to the cut in the level. But Trump so far has frustrated Western allies by refusing to impose sanctions on Russia despite President Vladimir Putin's failure to agree a Ukraine ceasefire. 'My assumption is that we do that together as G7,' von der Leyen said. 'We have started that as G7, it was successful as a measure from the G7, and I want to continue this measure as G7.' European leaders last month threatened Moscow with 'massive' sanctions if it did not agree a truce, but there has been no major progress in US-led peace efforts. 'Russia lies about its desire for peace. Putin is taking the world for a ride. Together with the United States, we can really force Putin to negotiate seriously,' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. As part of its 18th round of sanctions since Russia's 2022 invasion, the EU also proposed measures to stop the defunct Nord Stream gas pipelines from being brought back online. Officials said they would also look to target some 70 more vessels in the 'shadow fleet' of ageing tankers used by Russia to circumvent oil export curbs. The EU in addition is looking to sever ties with a further 22 Russian banks and add more companies, including in China, to a blacklist of those helping Moscow's military. One EU diplomat described the latest proposals as 'one of the most substantive and significant packages we've discussed recently'. 'It will hurt Russia's ability to finance its war machine. Now let's see how the discussions evolve.' The sanctions will need to be agreed by all 27 EU countries, and could face opposition from Moscow-friendly countries Hungary and Slovakia.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Govt committed to increase women-owned companies
KUALA LUMPUR: The percentage of women-owned companies in Malaysia are still low compared to other ASEAN countries, at about 20 per cent or 210,000 companies out of all enterprises in the country. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government through the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) would strive to increase the percentage through various new programmes and policies. 'In helping women access overseas markets more effectively, the government is committed to providing trade facilities such as MADANI Digital Trade, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and also trade missions to various countries,' he said during the opening ceremony of the Women in Export (WiEX) Forum 2025 today. Tengku Zafrul said the initiative implemented was open to women entrepreneurs who wanted to explore international markets, including emerging markets such as West Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, which have high demand for Malaysian products. 'MATRADE also constantly monitors the participation of female entrepreneurs in international exhibitions and overseas trade missions so that women can become competitive exporters on the international stage,' he said. Meanwhile, MATRADE chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the participation of Asian women in the economy, comprising only 30 to 35 per cent, shows that there are still untapped economic opportunities. 'Therefore, to assist women-owned companies in the export market, MATRADE has allocated 40 per cent of the RM14.89 million in export grants to 6,711 women-owned companies,' he said at the event. Regarding the organisation of WiEX, he said the forum was important as a meeting place to empower women in the export ecosystem and, by 2026, the forum would be known as the Women International Exporters Expo. 'The WiEX Forum has become the perfect platform to celebrate and recognise women entrepreneurs who want to make a name for themselves in the international arena. All the knowledge, inspiration and strategies shared today are valuable gifts that can guide their respective journeys,' he said. Therefore, Reezal Merican said MATRADE has launched an e-directory that serves as a bridge connecting products and services provided by women-owned companies. 'This platform will showcase to the world the great products and services produced by Malaysian women. It will facilitate business collaboration, build international networks and, most importantly, provide direct access to global markets. 'This initiative is in line with the National Women's Policy 2025-2030 and sustainable development goals, demonstrating the government's unwavering commitment to empowering women in the trade sector,' he added. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, chairman of the Umno Malaysia Women's and Family Affairs Council (HAWA) Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and MATRADE chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
