Booming Demand in China Presents Opportunities

Zulkifli underscored the significant demand for durians in China, which is projected to reach US$8 billion. This presents a lucrative opportunity for durian-farming countries such as Indonesia to enhance their exports.

Current Challenges and Future Prospects

Currently, Indonesia is limited to producing durian paste for export, a process that is both complex and time-consuming, resulting in lower selling prices. Zulkifli highlighted the abundant durians from Central Sulawesi, but noted the diminished profits due to the necessity of transporting them to Thailand first.

The government aims to overcome these challenges by facilitating the direct export of whole durians to China without any transit. This initiative is expected to significantly boost profits for Indonesian farmers.

Direct Inspection and Potential Agreement

According to the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, China is scheduled to conduct a direct inspection of Indonesia's durian early next year. Upon successful completion, the two countries plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), allowing Indonesian durians direct access to the Chinese market.

Zulkifli emphasized the potential of this agreement to transform the landscape of durian exports for Indonesia, offering substantial benefits for farmers and the economy alike.