Landmark 48-ton shipment signals Indonesia’s rise in China’s premium durian market
After years of regulatory hurdles and indirect trade routes, Indonesia has finally secured a direct gateway into the world’s largest durian market.
A Historic First Shipment
Indonesia officially launched its first direct export of frozen durian to China this week, shipping 48 tonnes valued at Rp 5.1 billion, or approx. S$408,000, from Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta to Qingdao Port. The durians were processed in West Java and released by the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency, known as Barantin, marking a milestone for the country’s agricultural exports.
Two Years of Negotiation and Preparation
Barantin Head Sahat M. Panggabean said the shipment was the result of nearly two years of intensive preparation, regulatory alignment, and bilateral negotiations. Speaking on Monday, he described the export as the realization of a long and resource-intensive process aimed at unlocking direct access to the Chinese market.
New Protocol Opens China’s Market
Previously, Indonesian durians entered China indirectly through countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, where they were processed and repackaged. This changed after government-to-government talks with China’s General Administration of Customs led to a frozen durian export protocol, officially signed on May 25, 2025, by Indonesian and Chinese authorities.
Traceability and Export Readiness
A key requirement for approval was strict traceability, particularly at frozen durian packing houses. Eight facilities have now been certified as Export-Oriented Quarantine Installations, with seven located in Central Sulawesi and one in Bogor, West Java. All are registered under China’s Import Food Enterprise Registration system, allowing them to serve as official export hubs.
Major Economic Potential for Farmers
Secretary General of the Indonesian Durian Plantation Association, Aditya Pradewo, said China’s annual durian demand is valued at around Rp 128 trillion, or about US$8 billion. With premium varieties such as Bawor, Super Tembaga, and Namlung, Indonesia aims to secure 5 to 10 percent of that market, potentially generating Rp 6.4 trillion to Rp 12.8 trillion in foreign exchange each year.
Lower Costs, Higher Margins
Direct exports also bring significant cost savings. Previously, exporters spent up to US$18,000 per container routing shipments through Thailand. Under the new protocol, logistics costs have dropped to around US$10,000 to US$11,000 per container. With durian prices in China currently five to seven times higher than domestic prices, exporters and farmers stand to gain substantially.
Growing Export Footprint
Between January and November 2025, Indonesia exported 10,162 tonnes of durian in various forms. Thailand remained the largest destination, followed by China and Malaysia, with smaller shipments reaching markets such as Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, according to Barantin data.
This breakthrough reshapes Indonesia’s position in the regional durian trade, moving the country from a raw supplier to a direct exporter of high-value agricultural products. For Indonesia and its regional partners, including Singapore, the development highlights growing opportunities in cross-border agribusiness, logistics, and food trade linked to China’s vast consumer market.
Sources: Asia News Network (2025) , Metro TV News (2025)
Keywords: Frozen Durian, Indonesia China Trade, Agricultural Exports, Durian Market, Barantin
