Indonesian durian will soon enter the Chinese market

Indonesia's durian industry is edging closer to entering the lucrative Chinese market, which a Chinese official reviewed in March as part of an agreement.Officials from China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) traveled to Indonesia to assess local durian plantations and packing houses, an inspection that could determine whether the Durian Export Partnership can proceed. Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture has designated 422 villages to specialize in durian cultivation, and most of the country's durians are currently sold domestically, with an export supply chain that is less sophisticated than that of existing suppliers in the Chinese market. Frozen durians may be a more viable option, as it is felt that export standards are not of sufficient quality and require regulations and export licenses. Indonesia may enter the Chinese market in a phased approach as Malaysia has done, with Malaysia gaining access to frozen durians in 2018 and fresh durians in 2024. Indonesian suppliers will face stiff competition in China as Thailand and Malaysia already have established supply chains and brand recognition in China, and Indonesia will need to differentiate to compete effectively, according to a consultant from the Durian Institute of Malaysia.