China, Malaysia nearing new durian deal, and an extension of visa-free travel is on the table
- ‘Complex’ negotiations come down to ironing out finer points of a deal that would bring fresh Malaysian durians into the world’s biggest market for the ‘king of fruits’, consul general says
- Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian country expects to draw more Chinese tourists this year than in pre-pandemic 2019, after suspending visa rules
China and Malaysia are close to signing an agreement to let the Southeast Asian country ship fresh durians to the lucrative Chinese market while the two sides talk of extending a visa-free travel arrangement later this year, according to an official from Kuala Lumpur.
The two governments are “just sorting out a few details” on a deal to let Malaysia ship fresh durians to China, following the leads of its exporting neighbours Thailand and Vietnam, said Muzambli Markam, the Malaysian consul general in Hong Kong. He did not rule out finalising the deal this year.
“We look forward to the approval soon,” Muzambli told the Post on Wednesday. “I was informed that negotiations are in the final stage, and hopefully we will hear the good news soon. You know how complex these kinds of negotiations are.”
Currently, Thai durians account for about two-thirds of the massive China market, which has captured more than 90 per cent of the global total with 1.4 million tonnes imported last year. Most of the remainder comes from Vietnam and a smattering reaches China from the Philippines.
The pricey, pungent and prickly export often called the “king of fruits” has captivated Chinese consumers and is often given a gift for major events such as weddings. China has not boosted its domestic durian crop to the scale of its Southeast Asian counterparts.
