From frozen pulp to fresh fruit in 36 hours
Malaysia's durian trade with China moved step by step from paste to frozen whole fruit to fresh air freight.
Malaysian durian reached China in stages, with each stage requiring a government agreement. The ministry statement carried by New Straits Times in 2018 dated access for frozen pulp and paste to November 2007, while Free Malaysia Today later said vacuum-packed fruit had been exported since 2011. The two reports do not line up exactly.
The next step came on 20 August 2018, when ministers from both countries signed a protocol in Beijing for frozen whole fruit, as reported by Malay Mail. It took about ten more months for Chinese customs to give the go-ahead, FMT reported in May 2019. At that time, 67 farms covering 464 hectares had been selected, mostly growing Musang King, and a deputy minister said exports were only 5.8% of Malaysian production.
Fresh fruit followed in June 2024, with a phytosanitary protocol signed by Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu and China's customs chief Yu Jianhua. The Star reported that a first 15-tonne load reached Zhengzhou on 25 August, with 15 more tonnes the next day and 10 tonnes to Shenzhen, for a total of 40 tonnes from eight companies. That Star piece carries a digital advertorial label, so its figures merit a second check.
The prize is large. The BBC reported that China imported a record US$7 billion of durian in 2024, and that more than 90% of world exports now go there. A separate Star article in 2025 said new air routes can put fresh fruit in front of Chinese buyers in 36 hours.
Sources
- 2018 protocol; pulp and paste access since November 2007
- Protocol signing date and place
- 2019 approval, 67 farms, 464 ha, 5.8% export share, vacuum-packed exports since 2011
- 2024 protocol and first shipment volumes; page tagged Digital Advertorial
- China's 2024 import value and share of world exports
- Air shipment routes reaching China in 36 hours