PENANG: Durians grown in Hainan province will affect the exports from Malaysia to China in future, says Datuk Cheah See Kian, president of the Malaysia-China Hakka Confederation Association.

He cautioned durian exporters during a sharing session of the second durian quality management session organized by the association.

There are a total of 30,000 acres of durian plantations in Hainan province, China. The durians are expected to hit the market next year with supply ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 tons.

Cheah said the durians from Hainan would not significantly affect the exports of durian from ASEAN countries in the first five years.

Currently, only Thailand and Vietnam export fresh durians to China, while Malaysia and Indonesia export frozen durians.

Vietnam exports durians to China by road while durians from Thailand are transported on high speed rail in Laos to China.

“Based on the reports from China, Thailand ranks top in exporting durians to China. In 2021, Thailand exported 870,000 tons of durians to China and commanded an almost monopoly in the Chinese market,” Cheah said.

Malaysia grows different species of durians, but Cheah said if the country does not catch up, the export market size would invariably shrink.