First chartered flight filled with whole durians leaves Malaysia for China
- The shipment of 20 tonnes of Musang King durian fruits is bound for Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan province
- Malaysia is aiming to export about 8,000 tonnes of durian – valued at around 800 million yuan (US$111.6 million) – each year to China via chartered flights
By Jo Timbuong
Malaysia’s special envoy to China, Tan Kok Wai, said his country is aiming to export about 8,000 tonnes of durian – valued at around 800 million yuan (US$111.6 million) – each year via chartered flights.
“Less than 1 per cent of the Chinese population have tasted Musang King before and exporting the whole fruits to China will allow us to expand the market even further,” Tan said.
He was speaking at an event to mark the departure of the first shipment of 20 tonnes of Musang King to Zhengzhou, capital of the central Chinese province of Henan.
“Many Chinese tourists have expressed their enthusiasm to visit Malaysia after tasting durian as some of them would also like to visit the durian orchards to test fresh durians,” he said.
Malaysia began to export whole durian fruits to China in June.
Previously, only durian slices and pastes were exported for consumption and the flavouring of other foods products such as ice cream.
Last year, Malaysia exported 235.62 tonnes of durian products to China, valued at 9.44 million ringgit (US$2.24 million)
