Malaysia enjoys 107 percent increase in durian export value in five years

In the five years since 2016, the value of durian export of Malaysia has grown by 107 percent, equivalent to RM74.8 million (nearly US$18 million).

Harvesting durian in Malaysia (Photo: Reuters)
Harvesting durian in Malaysia (Photo: Reuters)

Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah reported to the parliament on October 12 that the great response to Malaysian durians had caused the value of durian exports to increase every year.

The value of durian exports in 2016 was RM69.9 million and rose to RM59 million in 2017, RM124.9 million in 2018, RM127 million in 2019 and RM144.7 million in 2020, he said.

He said that until last September, Malaysian durians had been exported to 22 markets. The top five buyers were Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the United States and Australia, based on the 2020 records.

Ahmad said the government did not impose any export tax on durians exported abroad because it wanted to help the durian export market to remain competitive, grow rapidly and compete with durians from other countries, especially Thailand.