JAKARTA (ANN/THE JAKARTA POST) – Indonesia is looking to capture a larger share of the global durian market following China’s rejection of over 100 containers of Thai durians – as it was discovered to be tainted with the cancer-causing dye “Basic Yellow 2” (BY2) – earlier this year, as it is the world’s leading importer of the fruit.
Liferdi Lukman, director of floriculture at the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry’s Horticulture Directorate General, says that this “will create an opportunity for Indonesia to supply durian directly to China.”
He told The Jakarta Post that efforts to tap into the Chinese market for durian exports were already underway; however, he emphasised that an agreement must still be finalised between the two governments concerning the shipping of frozen durian, which is anticipated to take place next month.
“Fresh durian will be audited by GACC (China customs) to the plantation and packing house in Central Sulawesi around the end of February 2025 to prepare a fresh durian export protocol”. He explained to the Post.
With the durian market in China expanding, Indonesia is establishing itself as a formidable competitor.
Experts assert that Indonesia possesses the capability to rival Thailand, though it will be challenging due to logistical obstacles.
Sigit Puruwanto, a durian expert and head of the Durian Traveler Indonesia community, explains that durians can only last up to five days before it ripens, thus a proximity to China offers other countries a significant edge compared to Indonesia – a country that is quite far from China.
Vietnam, Indonesia’s neighboring country, is already establishing itself as a strong competitor, in part due to its closeness to China.
Nonetheless, geography is not the only factor that provides Vietnam with an advantage but its capability to produce the Durian Montong type, which originated from Thailand and is now excessively grown in Vietnam as well, is another important aspect.
Sigit refers to Montong as the “best and most acceptable” durian in the Chinese market, owing to its substantial, yellow pulp and sweet flavour.
Although Indonesia has the capability to expand its market share, Sigit feels that the government’s attention is directed towards other priorities, specifically the cultivation of rice and sugar.
Sigit voiced his optimism that with appropriate investments in logistics and infrastructure, Indonesia’s durian sector could grow considerably even as Thailand and Vietnam remain the dominant forces in the global durian trade, for the time being.
