Prices of \u2018Musang King\u2019 variety of stinky delicacy have nearly quadrupled in five years<\/b>
\nThe stinky, spiky durian will become Malaysia\u2019s next big export as the south-east Asian nation rushes to develop thousands of hectares to cash in on unprecedented demand from China for the fruit.
The durian was once only planted in family orchards and small farms, but now the Malaysian government is encouraging large-scale farming of the fruit \u2013 described by some as smelling, when ripe, like an open sewer or turpentine \u2013 and counting on a 50% jump in exports by 2030.
\u201cThe durian industry is transforming from local to global, large-scale farming due to the great demand from China,\u201d said Lim Chin Khee, a durian industry consultant. \u201cBefore the boom, a durian farm in Malaysia would be a leisure farm\u2026 Now they are hundreds of acres and bigger, and many more will come.\u201d
Durian may be banned in some airports, public transport and hotels in south-east Asia for its pungent smell, but Chinese people are huge fans. Durian-flavoured foods sold in China include pizza, butter, salad dressing and milk.
Chinese markets pay top price for Malaysia\u2019s \u201cMusang King\u201d durian because of its creamy texture and bittersweet taste. Prices of the variety, now planted all over the country, have nearly quadrupled in the last five years.
China\u2019s durian imports rose 15% last year to nearly 350,000 tonnes worth $510m (\u00a3398m), according to the UN\u2019s trade database, nearly 40% of which was from Thailand, the world\u2019s top producer and exporter.
Malaysia accounted for less than 1% but expects sales to China to jump to about 22,000 tonnes by 2030 from an estimated 14,600 tonnes this year, as trade is widened to include whole fruit from the current restriction to durian pulp and paste.
The agriculture department said: \u201cPlanting durians is not just a hobby today as durians are considered as \u2018gold\u2019 in the agriculture industry.\u201d<\/p>\n