By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Durian from Perak is no longer just a village product, as the state has emerged as one of Malaysia’s top durian producers.
Last year, Perak produced 59,217.3 tonnes of durian, with a market value of RM462.28 million.
This figure not only contributes significantly to the country’s agri-food economy but also proves Perak’s capability to compete in the global durian export market.
Between 2017 and 2023, Perak durians were exported to over 41 countries, with 73 percent of the export value concentrated in the Chinese market.
Seeing this strong potential, the state government is now focusing on expanding international markets further, especially for premium ‘kampung’ (village) durians from Perak.
In a statement, Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad said Perak durians are also in demand in Singapore, Hong Kong, United States, and Australia.
The price of Malaysian kampung durian can reach RM29 for 600 grams, while the Musang King variety is sold for up to RM400 for 2.5 kilograms.
“In fact, some local entrepreneurs are becoming more aggressive in introducing innovative durian-based products such as durian chocolate, durian coffee, durian cake, instant sambal tempoyak (fermented durian chili paste), and durian ice cream, which are also being marketed to China.
“Among the planned initiatives are stronger branding, quality certification to boost confidence among international consumers, and more comprehensive digital marketing strategies,” he said.
This approach is expected to open up more export opportunities and further enhance the global value of Perak durians.
