Latest news with #durian
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Pre-CIIE: China's imports of fruits to grow with big appetite for durians, coconuts
Growers of durian and coconut in Southeast Asia are expecting a hectic time ahead as they grapple with rising demand from mainland Chinese buyers who prefer high-quality fresh fruits against the backdrop of a weak consumption market. Malaysian fresh durians , which have witnessed an export boom since last year, are still in high demand ahead of the peak season in August, according to Guo Min, deputy marketing director with distributor Joy Wing Mau's China operations. 'The growth trajectory remains robust and we foresee surging demand [for the fruit] next month,' he said in an interview, adding that Malaysian durians were the most sought-after by consumers among imported fruits. 'We have got the logistics and warehousing arrangements ready to better serve the market.' Malaysia started exporting fresh durians to China last year, shipping 24.8 million ringgit (US$5.9 million) worth of them between August and December, according to data from Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. In the first four months this year, Malaysia's share of the durian market in China had grown tenfold, Guo added. Thailand held a 57 per cent share of China's US$6.99 billion durian market in 2024, Chinese customs data showed. A shop selling durians in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The native Southeast Asian fruit is renowned for its unique and strong flavour. Photo: AFP
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's durian exports surge 256pc in five years, set to hit RM1.5b in 2025, says Mat Sabu
GUA MUSANG, July 26 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) expects Malaysia's durian exports to exceed RM1.5 billion this year, following strong demand from major markets such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the total value of the country's durian exports abroad had increased by 256.3 per cent or equivalent to RM822.8 million in five years, from RM321.2 million in 2018 to RM1.14 billion in 2022. 'This increase proves the great potential of durian as a high-value agro-food commodity that not only provides great returns to the country, but also opens up economic opportunities for the people at various levels,' he said when opening the 2025 Durian Festival at the Gua Musang District Council's main hall here today. He said efforts to promote durian through festivals and programmes like this were also deemed important to stimulate the growth of the high-value agricultural sector and create a value chain involving farmers, logistics, retailers, processing industries and tourism. Mohamad said that based on the global fresh durian market report by global market research firm Mordor Intelligence (2024), the value of the world durian market is expected to reach more than USD10.78 billion in 2025 and jump to USD16.89 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4 per cent. 'China remains the key driver of this growth, accounting for more than 90 per cent of total durian imports in the Asia Pacific, thus becoming a key strategic market for Malaysian exporters. 'On June 19, 2024, Malaysia successfully signed the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian Fruit to China, which opened up new market access for fresh durian exports from Malaysia to the country,' he said. Previously, export access to China was limited to durian in pulp and paste form in 2011, and frozen whole fruits in 2018. — Bernama
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
A surprising health component of durians?
JULY 26 — I've been reading some popular science books and I'd like to share some interesting findings, especially for all you durian lovers out there. It appears that our beloved king of fruits contains something beneficial to our health. Apparently durians produce this molecule called spermidine (yes, I know what that sounds like) which is important because it promotes this biological process known as autophagy. If you Google that word you'll see that it's a process by which our bodies perform a clean-up of weak or dying cells. Meaning 'self-eating' or 'self-devouring', longevity expert Peter Attia explains: '…the catabolic side of metabolism, when the cell stops producing new proteins and instead begins to break down old proteins and other cellular structures into their amino acid components, using the scavenged materials to build new ones. It's a form of cellular recycling, cleaning out the accumulated junk in the cell and repurposing it or disposing of it.' It's like, instead of going to a hardware store to get more things to fix your house, the contractor digs through the debris in your house and tears down spare materials which he can then reuse to build new parts. One of the materials our biological 'contractor' rips out are the so-called zombie cells i.e. old proteins and/or damaged cellular structures. One of the best ways of attaining autophagy is via fasting. Restricting the production of glucose and thus cutting off their supply to these cells prevents their further growth and invites their eventual destruction and repurposing. Voila! Our zombie cells die! But back to durians. It seems our beloved Black Thorns, Red Prawns and Green Bamboos also help in boosting autophagy and rejuvenating our cells because they contain— surprise surprise! — spermidine which is a, 'natural polyamine that stimulates cytoprotective macroautophagy/autophagy.' From what I understand, that's just sexy scientific talk for the ability to maintain cellular homeostasis, promote anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as other beneficial functions. Nicklas Brendborg, in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards, re-emphasises the value of spermidine towards longevity and also highlights some foods that are relevant: 'Spermidine is found in many foods, and studies even show that a higher spermidine intake is associated with a lower risk of death. If you want to increase your spermidine intake, the best bet is wheatgerm…Besides that, other spermidine-containing foods include soy beans, certain mushrooms, sunflower seeds, corn and cauliflower. If you're more adventurous, you can also try eel liver, adzuki beans or durian fruit.' Like most Malaysians, I'm very glad that durian (and mushrooms and corn and cauliflower!) is included in that list. Finally, apart from promoting the self-recycling of cells, spermidine is also associated with improved cognitive function. Spermidine is also contained in bread, salad, cheese, potatoes, noodles, meat, fish, and most fruits and vegetables. This is surely good news for those of us who are not fond of Musang King. For those who are, well, you're welcome. Note: This article does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor or physician before embarking on a new diet or supplementation or both. No, I don't actually believe that 'eating more durians will make you live longer and healthier'.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Perak one of M'sia's top durian-producing states last year, says MB
Perak menteri besar Saarani Mohmad said the state is focusing on widening access to its premium kampung durians through branding strategies. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Perak has emerged as one of the leading durian-producing states in Malaysia, with a production volume of 59,217.3 tonnes worth RM462.28 million in 2024. Menteri besar Saarani Mohamad lauded this as proof of Perak's capability in the durian export market. Saarani said Malaysia exported durians produced in Perak to more than 40 countries between 2017 and 2023, with 73% of the export value concentrated in China. 'In 2022, Malaysia's durian export value reached RM1.14 billion, including RM887 million to China. 'Demand for varieties such as Musang King, Black Thorn, D24, IOI, and premium kampung durians from Perak continues to rise,' Bernama reported him as saying at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak Durian Fest at Dataran Selama today. He said Malaysia's durian export value is expected to reach RM1.8 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 20% to 25%. Saarani said Perak's current focus is on widening access to premium kampung durians through branding strategies, quality certification and digital marketing. 'Durians from Perak are also in demand in Singapore, Hong Kong, the US and Australia, with the price of kampung durians from Malaysia reaching RM29 per 600g and Musang King durians being sold for up to RM400 per 2.5kg. 'Some local entrepreneurs are aggressively promoting durian-based products like durian chocolates, durian coffee, durian cakes, instant tempoyak sambal and durian ice cream in markets like China,' he said.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Three new durian varieties set to debut in next two years… all thanks to Mardi
KUALA KANGSAR, July 19 —The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) is set to introduce three new durian varieties within the next two years. Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the institute is currently evaluating several promising hybrid durians that could lead to new clones. 'We're assessing their suitability for planting in different locations. Apart from Mardi Kuala Kangsar, we're also developing hybrids at Mardi Jerangau in Terengganu. 'The names and codes are still being finalised and will be announced at the official launch,' he told reporters after the Duriotourism programme with the media at Mardi Kuala Kangsar today. Meanwhile, Mohamad Zabawi said the hybrid MRDI Super 88 (MS88) variety will be rebranded with a more appealing name. He added that 13,000 MS88 durian trees have been planted nationwide under Mardi's full supervision. 'Some trees are now between two and three years old, so in the next five to six years, they should be ready for wider commercial distribution,' he said. — Bernama
