RAUB: Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between China and Malaysia to export fresh durians, durian entrepreneurs look forward to the release of export procedures.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry would be releasing the procedures to export fresh durians.

Prior to this, Malaysia exports frozen durians to China since 2018.

The signing of MOU on fresh durian export has provided an added avenue for durian entrepreneurs.

Kentson Lye, the chief executive officer of PHG Ever Fresh Food (M) Sdn Bhd, a food processing company in Sungai Ruan, Raub, said the company is waiting for directive from the ministry on how to inspect durians and criteria to receive a certificate of export for durian.

He is looking forward to the release of the export procedures as soon as possible to expand the market in China.

“Currently we are exporting frozen durians to China, the green light on fresh durians offers an added avenue to compete with Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines,’’ he said.

Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines have acquired approval from China to export fresh durians long ago, he said.

“Malaysia can export up to 100 to 200 tonnes of fresh durians a day to China, depending on the flights.

“Durians harvested in the morning can be transported to airport by night. The durians arrive at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Shenzhen by cargo flights the next day,’’ he said.

Lye said the shipping costs by air could be higher than sea shipping though.

Raub District Industrial Plant Operators Association chairman Nicky Koh Kuan Heng urged the government to issue more licence for fresh fruit export to export companies which are currently export durians.

“Consumers in China get to taste fresh Musang King from Malaysia, which is different from frozen ones,’’ he said.

He urged durian farmers to maintain the quality of Musang King for durians from Malaysia to be prominent in China.