Tangkak Durian Centre Will Regulate Glut, Dumping During Peak Season - Johor Exco

JOHOR BAHRU, July 11 (Bernama) -- The durian collection centre in Tangkak is set to play a key role in regulating the durian market in Johor and addressing the issue of over-supply and dumping during peak season.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the centre was developed in collaboration with a private company from Selangor, which will employ nitrogen freezing technology.

"The centre is currently operating on a small scale. Once fully operational, durians from surrounding areas, such as Segamat, Muar, and Tangkak, will be pooled here for freezing or processing into other products, including paste and jam.

"This centre buys all types of durian grades A, B, and C," he said after a local fruits tasting session with the media at the Johor Federal Agricultural Marketing (FAMA) office.

He said the centre is open to all durian growers and operators regardless of fruit grade, thus enabling agricultural produce to be marketed more systematically throughout the year.

"This measure is expected to stabilise durian prices. We don't want prices to drop owing to a glut and dumping when harvest season arrives. This centre allows fruits to be collected, stored, and released in stages throughout the year," he said.

He added that discussions are underway between farmers and manufacturers to set fair pricing that won't disadvantage smallholders.

The Johor government has allocated RM6.86 million to develop the fruit industry, benefitting 474 farmers across approximately 2,000 hectares of land.

He said that for durian alone, Johor recorded a production of 189,787 metric tons in 2024, involving more than 34,000 growers across the state.

Zahari said Johor also contributed significantly to the country's durian exports, which reached 13 million kg last year, valued at RM339 million, of which 7.2 million kg were exported to Singapore via Johor.

Johor's durian export market includes China (4.4 million kg), Hong Kong (1 million kg), and over 10 other countries.

Zahari said that among the popular durian varieties in Johor are Musang King, D13, IOI, Tekka, Black Thorn, Kim Hong, durian kampung, and several new varieties.

-- BERNAMA