Myanmar gears up to enter global durian market

Kyaw Min, chairman of the Myanmar Durian Producers and Exporters Association, told Xinhua News Agency last Saturday that the registration process with the General Administration of Customs of China is underway and efforts are being made to develop both fresh and processed durian products.

He said the association aims to bring in foreign investors, experts and business partners to support value-added durian processing in the country.

Myanmar’s durian industry is poised for rapid growth, with exports expected to generate new foreign income once shipments begin, he noted.

A trishaw is seen loaded with durians in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Oct. 19, 2007. Photo by AFP

China is the world’s largest buyer of the pungent fruit. Last year, it bought 15.6 million tonnes worth a record US$6.99 billion of durian, mostly from Thailand and Vietnam, which accounted for 57% and 41.5% of shipments. The rest was supplied by the Philippines and Malaysia.

But demand has dropped this year, with imports falling by 15% year-on-year to 708,190 tonnes in the first half, according to customs data cited by the South China Morning Post.

The market has also seen fresh competition, including Cambodia, which shipped its first durian batch in July.

Laos has indicated that it intends to join the race while Indonesia has announced plans to export the fruit directly to China instead of routing shipments through Thailand, as reported by Channel News Asia.

Myanmar has around 60,000 acres (24,281 hectares) under the fruit, with over 4,000 in Yangon, one of the key growing regions.

Other major producers include Kayin and Mon states and Tanintharyi, Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, according to Myint Sein, a trustee of the Ayeyarwady Durian Producers and Exporters Cluster.

The country’s durian season typically falls in May, June and July, per Myanmar Digital News.

"Development of Myanmar's durian industry will uplift local farmers and contribute significantly to the nation's economic growth," Myint Sein said.