Mohamad (centre) oversaw the inaugural shipment of fresh Malaysian durians to China, which landed in Zhengzhou on Aug 25.
THE inaugural shipment of fresh Malaysian durians to China officially landed in Zhengzhou on Aug 25, marking the beginning of many export shipments to come.
This initial export of fresh durians is a result of the agreement for the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Durian Fruits from Malaysia to China, which was signed by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and China’s General Administration of Customs Minister Yu Jianhua in June.
The first phase of fresh durian shipment saw 40 metric tonnes (mt) of different durian types being exported, including Musang King, D24, IOI and Black Thorn, involving eight local durian export companies.
On Aug 25, the first 15mt of fresh durians landed in Zhengzhou, with the remaining shipments of 15mt and 10mt landing the next day in Zhengzhou and Shenzhen respectively.
Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli says that this market access will contribute to the increase in the export value of the durian sector to China, where previously, only the export of frozen durians was permitted.
“We have created history with the first shipment of fresh whole fruit durians to China.
“Seeing the cargo plane take off was almost like looking into the future of the local durian industry, as it marked the beginning of what could be a profitable relationship between Malaysia and China.”
In the past, Malaysia only exported various durian products such as durian paste, durian pulp and frozen durians. But, due to the high demand for fresh durian products, there was an opportunity to boost the local industry, he adds.
Aminuddin shares that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) issued a mandate to Fama to handle the crucial first shipment of fresh durians from Malaysia to China.
He highlights the crucial collaborative efforts between various parties as the stepping stone in making the shipment of fresh durians possible.
“We could not have done it on our own. Similarly, I don’t think that the ministries, agriculture agencies or durian exporters could have done it without each other’s help.
“We (Fama) oversaw the loading of the fresh durians onto the cargo plane, while the Durian Manufacturer Association gathered resources to charter the plane with the help of the Transport Ministry.
“This is what made the initial shipment a success – as it needed holistic involvement from all parties.”
Quality assurance
Aminuddin says that as a marketing agency, Fama takes a number of measures to ensure the quality and freshness of durians to be exported.
This is done by adhering to the strict quality standards and requirements outlined in the phytosanitary requirements protocol.
“In every state, we have durian processing centres and representatives to ensure that the durians comply with China’s export standards.”
He adds that the export of fresh durians also entails various quality assurance requirements, as compared to those for durian paste, durian pulp and frozen durians.
“Whole fruit fresh durians have a slightly different protocol. The standards are much higher than those for frozen goods.
“The farms from where the durians are sourced have to be properly certified and the protocol even takes into consideration the handling practices of the produce after harvest.”
Aminuddin describes these extra requirements as important practices for local durian farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt and maintain the reputation of Malaysian durians in foreign markets.
A boon for local farmers
Aminuddin suggests that the shipment of fresh durians to China not only benefits major industry players but will also increase opportunities for small-scale farmers (with farms less than 16ha).
“As part of the mandate given to us by KPKM and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority, we were tasked to protect the interests of smallholders. Now is the perfect time for us to invigorate local farmers to boost durian farming practices,” he says.
This effort, to increase the local supply of fresh durians, was prompted by the weight demand from China who initially sought to acquire more than 40mt of fresh durians.
He adds that Fama will also engage in dialogue sessions with Felda, Felcra and Mardi in each state to encourage more farmers (of other goods) to start durian farming on a smaller scale.
“In the past, Felcra has focused on rubber farming and production. But, this seems to have waned in recent years, with the decrease in Malaysia’s natural rubber production.
“In this case, if there is vacant land on rubber plantations, it could be transitioned into land for durian farming – which would help us offer enough supply to meet the demand for Malaysian durians,” says Aminuddin.
