Malaysia is negotiating with Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia to establish overland transit routes for fresh durian exports to China, according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.

The minister said the move would reduce transport costs and improve access to the lucrative Chinese market.

“Durian is a favourite among Chinese consumers, but they sometimes find it difficult to get the fruit at a more affordable price,” he said during parliament’s question and answer time on Wednesday.

Transporting durians by land could take three to four days, offering a potential alternative to costly air freight, he said.

Mohamad said his ministry was working with the Foreign Ministry and Transport Ministry to facilitate negotiations with the four Asean countries.

In 2025, Malaysia exported 18,370 tonnes of durian products to China, with fresh durian exports alone valued at about 150.6 million ringgit (US$37 million). In the first half of this year, Malaysian durian exports to China reached about 124 million ringgit.

Discussions on transit arrangements had been ongoing since July 20, Mohamad said, although negotiations were challenging as the four countries also exported durians to China.

Malaysia was also exploring sea freight as an alternative, but the longer transit time made it less suitable for consumers seeking fresh durians. “Chinese consumers want fresh durians. That is why we are discussing air and rail transport intensively,” he said.

Mohamad said the government was seeking to expedite arrangements to enable Malaysian durians to reach Chinese consumers more efficiently.

The proposed routes could give local exporters more efficient access to the Chinese market and enhance the competitiveness of Malaysia’s premium durian exports, he added. By The Star