Musang King may reign supreme but new durian contenders court fans in Malaysia
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The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute has found that there is a growing appetite for a wider range of flavours.
PHOTO: BT FILE
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PETALING JAYA – In the world of durians, Malaysia’s Musang King may wear the crown but a new wave of contenders is emerging for supremacy.
From the creamy Black Thorn and Red Prawn to the sweet Hajah Hasmah, the Malaysian government is championing lesser-known premium varieties to capture growing international demand.
Other established types like Sultan and Tekka are also seeing interest, offering the fruit at a more accessible price and broadening the nation’s footprint in the global market.
Agriculture Department director-general Dauk Nor Sam Alwi said Musang King and Bukit Merah are the main varieties recommended for export due to their rich, creamy texture and strong flavour. But efforts are under way to highlight other premium types such as Black Thorn, Red Prawn and Hajah Hasmah.
“These varieties are being evaluated for future certification and export readiness, based on their potential in terms of taste, texture, shelf life and suitability for long-distance shipping,” she told The Star.
She said Chinese nationals, in particular, are willing to pay premium prices for these varieties.
The department is working towards registering durian varieties grown in Malaysia, conduct agronomic assessments and ensure compliance with the requirements of importing countries.
“This includes pest disinfestation methods such as vapour heat treatment, traceability systems and farm export certification schemes,” she added.
These efforts, she noted, are in line with the department’s goal of diversifying Malaysia’s durian varieties in the global market, strengthening the competitiveness of the industry and maximising export value.
The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) has found that there is a growing appetite for a wider range of flavours.
“Consumers are becoming more adventurous. They are seeking out unique taste profiles. We are also seeing renewed interest in older, established clones such as D24 and Tekka, which are more affordable and offer classic durian characteristics,” it said.
It is focusing on developing new hybrids for domestic and global markets. Its MDUR series have shown promise.
“One of the main highlights is MDUR 88 (D190), a hybrid of D10 and D24. It is golden yellow, slightly sticky and creamy with a flavour that many compare favourably to Musang King.”
Mardi said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is promoting MDUR 88 for export, noting that the hybrid has recently been rebranded as Mardi Super 88.
The institute is working on other hybrids, such as MDUR 78 (D188) and MDUR 79 (D189), which offer improved yields and greater resistance to diseases.
It highlighted its broader breeding initiatives, with its second hybridisation programme, launched in the late 1980s, involving crosses among 10 varieties.
Several promising hybrids are in the final stages of assessment and expected to be introduced under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Mardi’s third set of hybrids is undergoing evaluation.
Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri said in addition to Musang King, premium varieties including D24, Black Thorn, IOI and D9 have also been sent for assessments to ensure they meet compliance for markets like China.
“Fama is also working to expand market access beyond China and Hong Kong to countries” such as Britain, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and the Netherlands.
Mr Rashid said initiatives include participation in trade fairs, digital marketplace partnerships, in-store promotions and collaborative awareness programmes with the Malaysian embassies.
To strengthen the competitive edge, the ministry is “enhancing the national branding of agricultural produce through Malaysia’s Best, a certification that assures quality and safety”.
In 2023, Malaysia exported 54,374 tonnes of durians, valued at RM1.51 billion (S$454 million), with China accounting for more than 45.7 per cent of the total export.
Mr Rashid said the volume is expected to increase following China’s approval for fresh durian imports.
Malaysia’s durian cultivation area has been expanding, with data from the Agriculture Department showing an increase from 70,286ha in 2019 to a projected 92,129ha in 2024.
Durian production rose from 390,635 tonnes in 2020 to a projected 568,852 tonnes in 2025, driven largely by global demand especially for premium varieties. THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK
