Malaysian Durian Prices May Increase Due to Exports

It’s really quite tragic that some of the best Malaysian fruit gets sold internationally and the locals get stuck with either none to enjoy or high prices for domestic product. This has happened already with bananas, where the premium bananas are exported to Singapore, here we’re stuck with only two basic varieties.

I hope that this does not happen with durians, where we may now have to fly to China to enjoy the best fruit. It’s just more money going out of the country than coming in… Wouldn’t it be better if we could similarly promote for the tourists to come here instead? Then they can enjoy the durians in our local environment!

Thursday May 12, 2011
Durian prices set to soar with exports to China
By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD
zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: Prices of local durians are expected to shoot up once Malaysia begins exporting the King of Fruits to China, said Chinese ambassador Chai Xi.

He said his country was expected to import the fruit in huge volumes following Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Malaysia last week.

Malaysian fruits have been barred from entering China since 2003 following a deadlock in talks over market entry, and China imports durian from Thailand at present.

Chai said China, which has a population of 1.3 billion, imported goods in vast quantities.

When met at the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry here yesterday, he said he was confident Malaysian durians would be popular in China, and quipped that there would be enough supply for Malaysians.

Chai was at the ministry to receive, on behalf of Wen, some 200 durians as a special gift from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The durians were presented by Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.

Wen, during his recent visit, announced that China was interested to import durians from Malaysia.

Chai said it was up to the Malaysian authorities to work out the import procedures with their counterparts in China.

“I believe many Chinese are looking forward to eating Malaysian durians as it is said to be more varied compared with Thailand’s.

“I have worked in Thailand for 10 years and I know Malaysian durians taste better,” he added.

Noh said ministry officials would make the necessary arrangements to meet the Chinese authorities immediately over importation issues.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/12/nation/8667984&sec=nation

Out of Wow Durians – Just Heavenly @ Pavilion

I went to Pavilion last week to buy some cakes as it was DS’s birthday, had to get two just so that there would be enough to go around after the cake is cut. Upon contemplating which flavors would be best, I had narrowed it down to 2: the vanilla sponge a.k.a Victoria Sandwich and the carrot walnut cake. Both of them cost almost RM200 (not cheap eh). Overall the service was good except that they are not able to write a personalized note on the cake, which would have been a more personal touch than a plastic toothpick with Happy Birthday on it, makes the cake look like it came from a village bakery (come on Just Heavenly, you can do better!!).

Out of Wow Durians today

Anyway, one option that was definitely not available was the “Wow Durians” chocolate cake. All other flavors were in stock. Are we to take that this is a popular flavor? Or maybe some durian lover decided to wipe out the entire stock in a single purchasing exercise..(wow!). Durians are definitely in season now so I will check again if they have it next time I’m there.