China's Durian Import Curbs Little Impact on Perak's Local Varieties

While stricter import conditions from China have affected premium Malaysian durian varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn, the impact on local Batu Kurau durian in Perak is minimal. Azleena Zainal Abidin, Director of FAMA Perak, noted that the price drop in premium durians due to export restrictions has led consumers to shift towards these more affordable options. However, Batu Kurau durian maintains a loyal customer base, ensuring its marketability remains largely unaffected.

FAMA is actively supporting local durian farmers, especially during the overlapping harvest season with premium varieties. The agency facilitates direct purchases from growers and expands marketing networks for local produce. To safeguard farmers' income, FAMA has implemented a price intervention, purchasing Batu Kurau durian at a minimum of RM2.70 per kilogram. This measure aims to prevent price collapses that could harm growers' livelihoods.

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We see when cloned durians like Musang King and Black Thorn cannot penetrate the Chinese market, the price of these fruits drops and consumers tend to buy them. However, Batu Kurau local durian has loyal fans, so the effect is not that significant and it can still be marketed well.

Batu Kurau, a primary region for local durian production in Perak, is not experiencing serious oversupply issues. FAMA recently handed over a permanent Farm Collection Center (PPL) to agricultural produce collector Mohd Faizal Jaafar, recognizing his 15 years of commitment as a key collector in Kampung Relang. This facility replaces a temporary collection point, acknowledging Jaafar's significant role in the local agricultural supply chain.

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This intervention is carried out every season to prevent price drops that could affect the income of entrepreneurs.