Malaysia eyes overland durian exports to China through Thailand, says Mat Sabu

JOHOR BAHRU, July 6 — Malaysia is in talks with the Thai government and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to establish a land route for exporting local durians to China, a move expected to reduce logistics costs and expand market access in the country.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to support durian growers, particularly amid a current glut following the durian season, which has occurred simultaneously in several states.

“The Thai Agriculture Minister (Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Suriya Juangroongruangkit) has met me, and we will discuss how to facilitate exports to China via land and rail routes.

“We are currently in intensive discussions with Thailand and GACC,” he told Bernama after meeting residents in Masai Lama, together with Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Permas state seat Sharon Teo Siew Hui here today.

He said land transportation is expected to be a more cost-efficient option compared with current air freight methods, which are expensive for producers.

Mohamad said the initiative would also open up opportunities to reach smaller cities in China, which represent significant market potential, with each city estimated to have around two million residents.

He added that the simultaneous durian season in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Johor and Pahang has increased supply, putting downward pressure on farm-gate prices, although consumers are now enjoying premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn at lower prices.

On Johor’s agricultural sector, he said the state remains one of Malaysia’s key producers of agricultural goods, including pineapples, fruits and vegetables.

He said the ministry’s pineapple industry development campaign has increased production by 100 per cent over the past three years, while also attracting more young farmers who are now earning better incomes from the sector.

On food security, Mohamad said Malaysia still needs to raise its self-sufficiency levels for several key commodities, including rice, meat, and maize for animal feed.

He said his recent visit to Iran highlighted the importance of food security, noting that the country is able to meet about 85 per cent of its food needs domestically, with only 15 per cent imported.

“We are still not self-sufficient in rice production, while meat supply remains dependent on imports. For maize used as animal feed, we still import almost 100 per cent.

“We are implementing intensive efforts so that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of the country’s maize requirements can be produced locally,” he said. — Bernama