The smelly, prickly durian is ready to change into Malaysia’s next big export because the Southeast Asian country rushes to develop 1000’s of hectares to benefit from unprecedented demand for the fruit in China.
Durian was once planted only in family orchards and smallholdings, however the Malaysian government is now encouraging large-scale cultivation of the fruit – some describe it as giving off an odour when ripe like an open sewer or turpentine – and is hoping for a 50 per cent increase in exports by 2030.
“The durian industry is undergoing a transformation from a local one to a global, large-scale one, due to strong demand from China,” said Lim Chin Khee, a consultant to the durian industry. “Before the boom, the durian farm in Malaysia “it will be a recreational farm… They now occupy lots of of acres and more, and there will likely be more.”
Durian could also be banned from some airports, public transport and hotels in Southeast Asia as a result of its pungent smell, however the Chinese are big fans. Durian-flavored products sold in China include pizza, butter, salad dressing and milk.
Chinese markets pay top dollar for Malaysian durian “Musang King” for its creamy texture and bittersweet taste. Prices for the range, now grown nationwide, have nearly quadrupled previously five years.
According to the UN trade database, China’s durian imports rose by 15% last yr to almost 350,000 tonnes price $510m (£398m), with almost 40% of that coming from Thailand, the world’s biggest producer and exporter.
Malaysia’s market share was lower than 1%, but sales to China are expected to rise from an estimated 14,600 tonnes this yr to about 22,000 tonnes by 2030 as trade is expanded to incorporate whole fruit from the present restrictions of only durian pulp and paste.
The Department of Agriculture said: “Planting durians is just not only a hobby today, as durians are considered the ‘gold’ of agriculture.”
Durian plantations in Malaysia covered 72,000 hectares last yr, but the world is growing, the department said. In addition, in some areas, oil palm plantations are switching to durian cultivation, which is seen as more profitable.
In March, Malaysia’s then-Agriculture Minister was quoted as saying that one hectare of Musang King plantation could generate almost nine times more income than a hectare of palm plantation.
Source : Reuters Agency
