Malaysia has raked in over 6 billion ringgit (US$1.4 billion) from durian exports to mainland China in just seven years, and now the government is eyeing new markets in Taiwan and Peru to keep the momentum growing.
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The agriculture and food security ministry said durian exports to China amounted to 115,359 tonnes or 6.37 billion ringgit between 2018 and June this year, with the figures based on the issuing of phytosanitary certificates.
“The ministry, through the agriculture department, is committed to exploring new opportunities and expanding our markets to Taiwan and Peru as well.
“Export values are forecast to reach 1.8 billion ringgit by 2030 and involve exports of up to 69,000 tonnes,” it said in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday.
The ministry also cited statistics showing an upwards trend in the number of durian exports to China.
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In 2018, up to 3,555 tonnes of pulp and paste durians worth 202 million ringgit were exported.
Malaysia began exporting frozen durians in June 2019, with exports amounting to 3,177 tonnes and valued at 143 million ringgit.