New MADTEC facility near KLIA offers small farmers access to certified processing and export infrastructure to meet growing global demand for premium Malaysian durians.
SEPANG: Malaysia has launched a dedicated durian export centre to strengthen its tropical fruit export ecosystem and support small-scale farmers.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the Malaysia Durian (Tropical Fruit) Trade and Export Centre (MADTEC) provides an inclusive platform for all farmers to access international markets.
“With internationally certified processing facilities, farmers can now make use of complete processing infrastructure without having to bear high costs to build their own factories,” he said at the centre’s opening ceremony.
Mohamad emphasised that the success of Malaysia’s durian industry should be “enjoyed fairly by all players, big or small, in line with the spirit of Malaysia MADANI.”
He urged companies to optimise MADTEC’s potential as a one-stop export centre while maintaining international quality standards throughout processing and packaging.
Malaysia’s durian industry recorded exceptional growth with export value reaching RM1.2 billion and volume nearly 44,000 tonnes in 2024.
Premium varieties like Musang King, Black Thorn and D24 have driven global demand, with China remaining the largest importer.
Mohamad noted growing traction in markets including Japan and South Korea, encouraging growers to increase production while maintaining quality standards.
The centre’s strategic location near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, combined with comprehensive logistics infrastructure, positions it as a crucial hub for strengthening Malaysia’s durian value chain.