Introduction

Indonesia is setting the stage to begin exporting frozen durians directly to China later this year, after a groundbreaking supply agreement between the two nations is finalized. This move coincides with the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China, marking a significant step in their partnership.

China’s Surging Durian Market

The durian market in China is booming, with imports reaching nearly US$7 billion last year. This represents a golden opportunity for Indonesia to tap into a market hungry for this unique fruit, potentially opening doors for other lucrative agricultural exports. Parigi Moutong in Central Sulawesi is particularly renowned for its cultivation of Monthong durians—varieties originally from Thailand that now thrive in Indonesia.

Monthong durians are notable for their size, typically weighing between 3 kg to 5 kg, along with their creamy texture and sweet flavor. Currently, while Indonesian Monthong durians are exported to China, they route through Thailand, incurring longer shipping times of about a month. Muhammad Tahir, director of PT Ammar Durian Indonesia, expressed optimism about the potential of a direct shipping route, which could reduce transit time to around a week and cut shipping costs in half.

Last year, PT Ammar shipped 30 containers of durians and hopes to increase that number to 50 once the direct route is established.

Stringent Export Standards

To facilitate this new trading relationship, China has implemented strict export standards that Indonesian farmers must comply with, including Good Agriculture Practices and rigorous quality control measures. Ahmad Mansuri Alfian, the head of the Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Centre in Central Sulawesi, highlighted the need for a fully traceable supply chain, supported by technological advancements such as a barcode system that allows for quick verification of agricultural products.

Empowering Local Farmers

PT Silvia Amerta Jaya, one of the 14 durian processing facilities in the region, is gearing up to export frozen durians directly to China and is also looking into fresh durian exports. Their director, Ni Made Ayu Ningsih, shared plans to bolster their production capacity by increasing the number of durian trees planted and emphasizing community involvement in agriculture.

With approximately 30,000 hectares of durian farmland in Central Sulawesi, only about 10% is currently accredited for export. Most farmers still practice traditional agriculture methods. I Wayan Wardika from the Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantations expressed aspirations to equip local farmers with modern agricultural tools and technologies like drones to increase productivity.

Building Stronger Ties

The expected direct durian exports from Indonesia to China reflect the strengthening ties between the two countries. Observers note the significance of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's visit to China last November shortly after taking office, which laid the groundwork for future agricultural agreements.

With the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture cataloging over 100 local durian varieties and identifying five with excellent export potential, there is a clear roadmap for expanding Indonesia’s presence in the global durian market. As Liferdi Lukman, director of fruit and floriculture at the ministry, indicated, the government has initiated a program to plant around 1,000 trees of each identified variety across five provinces, aiming for significant entry into the global market.

While Indonesia stands among the top durian producers globally, yielding approximately 1.2 million tonnes annually, most of its durian supply caters primarily to domestic demand. The nation is determined not to watch from the sidelines as neighboring countries dominate the international durian trade.

Conclusion

Can Indonesia transform its durian sector from a domestic powerhouse to a global player? Time will tell, but if the country successfully executes its durian diplomacy strategy, it may just reshape the landscape of this exotic fruit’s market!