KUALA LUMPUR – Durian lovers in China can rejoice, and so can exporters in Malaysia.
Both countries will mark their 50th year of diplomatic relations this year with exports of the King of Fruits in fresh form from Malaysia to China, for the first time.
Malaysia has to this point been exporting durian to China in frozen form.
However, both are close to signing an agreement for the export of fresh fruits, Malaysia’s consul-general in Hong Kong, Muzambli Markam, told the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
At the same time, the extension of visa-free travel between the two countries is also on the table, he said.
SCMP quoted Muzambli as saying that the durian deal is close to signing, pending the sorting out of “a few details” in the final negotiations.
Malaysia has been exporting frozen durian products to China since 2011. In 2018, new export protocols allowed China to import frozen whole durians.
However, fresh whole durian requires different protocols besides the transportation challenges affecting the ripeness of the fruit and its short shelf life.
Last month, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin reportedly confirmed the export of fresh whole durians from Malaysia to China in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations on May 31.
Under the current visa-free travel reciprocal arrangement, China has allowed a 15-day visa fee policy for Malaysian citizens going to China for business, family visits, tourism and transit, from December 1 last year until November 30, this year.
Meanwhile, Malaysia allows 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. – January 28, 2024