The government of Indonesia is actively seeking approval from China to allow the entry of Indonesian durians into the Chinese market. China, known for its substantial consumption of durians, represents a significant market opportunity for Jakarta. Indonesian officials have been in discussions with China to demonstrate the eligibility of their durians for export. The anticipation is for China to finalize a protocol that would enable Indonesia to export durians, often referred to as the "king of fruits."
In efforts to expedite this process, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi engaged in bilateral discussions with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing. "To boost our exports to China, Indonesia pushed for the negotiations on frozen durian and coconut export protocols to be completed soon," Marsudi stated, highlighting the potential for enhanced bilateral trade upon concluding these negotiations. However, specific details about the durian export protocols were not disclosed.
State-run news agency Antara reported that the National Quarantine Agency (Barantin) of Indonesia had discussions with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) regarding the export of durians. According to Barantin's chief, Sahat M Panggabean, China granted market access for Indonesian durians in 2023, following Indonesia's export proposal submission in 2020. GACC plans to conduct on-site inspections of the plantations and packaging facilities, which is a step towards finalizing the export protocol.
China's appetite for durians is substantial, with the country importing 1.4 million tons of the fruit in 2023. Thailand currently dominates this market, accounting for 68 percent of China's durian imports. Indonesian senior minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan noted that durian exports to China could significantly benefit the local economy.
Source: JakartaGlobe