(PETALING JAYA) Malaysia is likely to export fresh durians to China this year.

Currently, Malaysia exports frozen durians to China instead of fresh durians.

Datuk Andy Zhao, president of the China-Asia Economic Development Association and a committee member of the Malaysia-China Business Council, said the good news is likely to be within this year.

“The good relationship between Malaysia and China is reflected on the China-Malaysia trade links and this year is the 50th anniversary of ties between Malaysia and China,’’ he said.

“Fresh Musang King will be exported to China soon,’’ he said, adding that China, Thailand and Vietnam are now planting Musang King.

While many countries are planting Musang King, Zhao feels that the taste may differ and hard to match the quality of Musang King grown in Malaysia.

Fresh durians from Malaysia are not exported to China due to quarantine issues.

As durians grown in Malaysia are harvested after the fruits drop from the tree, the fruit can’t be kept for long period of time.

However, durians produced in Thailand are harvested in advance by cutting the fruit from the tree, he said, adding that the durians ripe during the transportation period.

Musang King becomes popular in China after Chinese premier the late Li KeQiang’s visit to Malaysia in 2015.

“The first bite is awful, the second is unforgettable and the third is impressive,’’ Li was quoted as saying after tasting the king of fruit.

In December last year, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security then, said durian farmers would be able to export fresh durian in the following year .

He said so as 31 May 2024 is the 50th anniversary of formal ties between China and Malaysia and it would be meaningful to launch the export of fresh durian to China on the day.