สื่อต่างชาติจับตา “การทูตทุเรียน” อินโดนีเซีย-จีน

Indonesia plans to start exporting frozen durian to China. Exports are expected to start soon after the signing of the supply agreement between the two countries is completed. The news has attracted the attention of Singaporean media outlet Channel News Asia (CNA), which reported that durian has now become China’s geopolitical tool to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian countries.

“Durian diplomacy” is a widely used term.
The Chinese authorities have pledged to open up markets in growing countries and import more durians from Southeast Asian countries. A report by Channel News Asia (CNA) under the headline “Durian Diplomacy: Indonesia Prepares to Export Frozen Durian to China Later This Year” mentioned the issue. The report also states that China is the world’s largest importer of durian. In addition, Indonesia believes that exports to China will be an opportunity to expand the market to other countries with high demand for durian, allowing consumers to know and taste a wider variety of durian varieties. Indonesia aims to dominate the market with Parigi Moutong durian, a durian from Parigi Maoutong District. Central Sulawesi Province is famous for its Monthong durian.
But now it is widely cultivated in Indonesia and Vietnam. This
durian species is large. The average weight is 3-5 kg, and it has a soft texture, sweet taste, small seeds, and thicker flesh than other durian species.

However, the report also states that Indonesia’s Golden Pillow Durian cannot be exported directly to China, currently having to be exported through Thailand. Before entering the Chinese market. The report cited farmers’ comments, stating that “direct supply chains are now becoming a reality.” Muhammad Tahir, Director of PT Ammar Durian Indonesia, said, “If we send it through Thailand, it will take about a month for the frozen durian to reach China, but if it can be exported directly from the port of Pantoloan (Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province) to China, it will only take about a week.” Indonesia is one of the largest durian producers in the region, with an annual production capacity of about 1.2 million tons of durian. However, most of the produce is used to support domestic demand. Mr. Liferdi Liferdi Lukman, Director of Fruit Trees and Horticulture Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture has questioned, “Why is the durian trade dominated by Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia? We don’t want to be just a big durian producer, but only an observer in the market.”

Office Reviews

Indonesia is one of the largest durian producers in the region, with an annual production capacity of about 1.2 million tons. Meanwhile, China is the world’s largest importer of durian. The value of imports last year reached 7 billion US dollars. Talks between Indonesia and China on a durian trade deal reflect significant changes, although a formal agreement is still under negotiation. However, Indonesia has been exporting whole durians from Sulawesi Province to China since October 2024, with a significant growth in the value of durian exports to China. Later, in 2024, Indonesia exported durian to China worth USD 152,848, an increase of 509,393.3 percent.

at the same time In 2023, Indonesia exported durian to Thailand worth USD 301,666 and in 2024, it increased to USD 851,119, an increase of 182.1 percent. However, although Indonesia is a major durian producer in the region, most of it is domestic consumption, and it is not the main exporter in the global market. Currently, Thailand is also the leader in durian exports, followed by Malaysia and Vietnam. however If Indonesia develops standards and increases production capacity, it may play an increased role in the
export market in the future.

Statistics on Indonesia’s fresh durian exports to the world:

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