Hanoi (VNA) - The durian is expected to become Malaysia'snext major export as the country rushes to develop thousands of acres to cashin on unprecedented demand for the fruit from China.
Once planted in family orchards and small-scale farms, the durian is attractinginvestments like never before. Even property tycoons and companies in palm oil,Malaysia's biggest agricultural export, are making forays into the durianbusiness.
The durian industry is transforming from local to global, large-scalefarming due to the great demand from China, said Lim Chin Khee, a durianindustry consultant, adding that the Malaysian government is encouraginglarge-scale farming of durian.
The durian may be banned in some airports, public transport and hotelsin Southeast Asia for its pungent smell, but the Chinese are huge fans.Durian-flavoured foods sold in China include pizza, butter, salad dressing andmilk.
China's durian imports rose 15 percent last year to nearly 350,000tonnes worth 510 million USD, according to the United Nations' trade database.Nearly 40 percent was from Thailand, the world's top producer and exporter.
Malaysia accounted for less than 1 percent, but the nation expected its salesto China to jump to 22,061 tonnes by 2030 from this year's likely 14,600tonnes.-VNA
Once planted in family orchards and small-scale farms, the durian is attractinginvestments like never before. Even property tycoons and companies in palm oil,Malaysia's biggest agricultural export, are making forays into the durianbusiness.
The durian industry is transforming from local to global, large-scalefarming due to the great demand from China, said Lim Chin Khee, a durianindustry consultant, adding that the Malaysian government is encouraginglarge-scale farming of durian.
The durian may be banned in some airports, public transport and hotelsin Southeast Asia for its pungent smell, but the Chinese are huge fans.Durian-flavoured foods sold in China include pizza, butter, salad dressing andmilk.
China's durian imports rose 15 percent last year to nearly 350,000tonnes worth 510 million USD, according to the United Nations' trade database.Nearly 40 percent was from Thailand, the world's top producer and exporter.
Malaysia accounted for less than 1 percent, but the nation expected its salesto China to jump to 22,061 tonnes by 2030 from this year's likely 14,600tonnes.-VNA
VNA
