Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip visiting a palm fruit booth during a gathering with local farmers and fishermen at Benut Area Farmers Organisation here in Pontian, Johor on Thursday .
"Previously, we exported frozen durians to China, but under this historical MOU, Malaysia will be exporting fresh durians due to the demand for the king of fruits from there," he said. "Our fresh durians will undergo tests to meet the biosecurity requirements in China. It is the same here, as Malaysia also performs biosecurity tests on imported food items to ensure they are safe for the environment and health.
"Normally, demand for durians from overseas is much higher than domestic demand. Last year, Malaysia exported RM2bil worth of fruits, with 56% being durians," he said.