A vendor wears durian-shaped headgear during a promotion of the fruit at the Impact Challenger Hall on June 22. Thai durian is popular in China, with exports last year worth 150 billion baht. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Malaysia is seeking clearance from Thailand to export durian overland to China as it battles domestic oversupply and moves to expand its footing in the lucrative market.Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Monday he had raised the issue with his Thai counterpart, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, and in separate talks with Chinese customs authorities. The plan was to export durian by train and truck from Malaysia through Thailand to China.
"We are currently in intensive discussions with Thailand and the GACC," he told Bernama news service on Monday. GACC stands for the General Administration of Customs of China.
Using land transport would ensure Malaysian durian was competitively priced in China, he said.
Mr Mohamad and Mr Suriya met in Malaysia last Wednesday, when they also discussed the ban on Thai shrimp imports imposed by Malaysia.
