Kuala lumpur: Durian imports from Thailand have seen a significant decrease of 36.67 percent, dropping to 4,184.58 tonnes from January to June this year compared to 6,606.86 tonnes in the same period last year, as stated by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin. This data contradicts the notion of durian dumping from Thailand in the local market currently.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chan highlighted that the Certificate of Compliance data via the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) e3P System reveals that the quantity of durian imported from Thailand constitutes only about two percent of Malaysia's total domestic production. He noted that the primary challenge is the domestic production surge during the peak season from June to August, leading to an oversupply.
Chan addressed questions from Senator Niran Tan Kran regarding the government's measures to tackle the alleged dumping of imported durian, which is said to impact the local market and the income of smallholders nationwide. To stabilize the market, Chan mentioned that the ministry, through FAMA, is executing a dual-strategy approach that includes market regulation and the implementation of the Seasonal Fruits Intervention Plan 2026.
FAMA aims to purchase 1,000 tonnes of seasonal fruits, including durian, through its operations center this year, with an estimated total value of RM7 million. As of July 12, direct purchases by FAMA of 468.94 tonnes of seasonal fruits were valued at RM2.87 million, while indirect purchases through its network of mentored entrepreneurs reached 1,550.73 tonnes worth RM6.98 million.
In response to a supplementary question from Senator Abdul Nasir Idris about a long-term marketing strategy, Chan mentioned that the ministry is investigating the possibility of exporting fresh Malaysian durian to China via land and sea routes, in addition to the current air cargo routes. This initiative would require negotiations on a new protocol with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), along with scientific studies by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the Department of Agriculture, particularly concerning post-harvest treatment.
Regarding the decision to set the floor price of kampung durian at RM2.70 per kilogramme instead of RM3, Chan clarified that the aim is to assist farmers in avoiding more significant losses due to the price drop. He mentioned that FAMA would consider the proposal to raise the floor price to RM3 per kilogramme, including the need for additional allocations, but for now, the rate remains at RM2.70 per kilogramme.