Sarawak: The Sarawak community, particularly durian farmers, is encouraged to engage in the cultivation of premium Musang King durian as a primary agricultural sector. This initiative arises from Sarawak’s potential to become a new production center in this industry.

The Deputy Director (Human Capital Development) of the Malaysian Cooperative Institute, Mohd Zaib Mat Yunus, stated that the Musang King durian industry is rapidly growing and experiencing high demand, especially in the areas of Serian, Padawan, Bau, and Betong.

Opportunities for Cooperatives

“I urge all cooperatives in Sarawak to seize the opportunities in high-value agricultural sectors like Musang King. This commodity not only promises significant economic returns but also has the potential to transform the socioeconomic landscape of cooperative members if cultivated in a well-organized and competitive manner.

“Given the increasing export potential, supported by government policies and stable market demand, I believe this is the time for cooperatives to advance further and become key players in the Musang King marketing chain in this state.

Strengthening Sarawak’s Position

“I am confident that cooperatives can emerge as leaders in this field, thereby strengthening Sarawak’s position in the national agri-food supply chain,” he remarked.

He made these comments during the launch of the Knowledge Talk Program 2025-Empowerment of Cooperatives Through Musang King Durian Commodity at Hotel Roxy today.

According to him, Sarawak has the potential to be a major producer of Musang King durian, given its unique advantages, especially in terms of extensive agricultural land compared to Peninsular Malaysia.

Market Dynamics and Demand

Moreover, he mentioned that the tropical rainforest climate in the state also facilitates the acceleration of planting activities, alongside support from the State Government through agro-food sector initiatives.

Commenting on the program, Mohd Zaib emphasized it as one of the efforts to strengthen cooperatives’ understanding of the real landscape of the Musang King industry in the country.

He added that this program is hoped to serve as a platform for the formation of more competitive, knowledgeable cooperatives, ready to move into a phase of mastering the value chain of the Musang King industry in a more sustainable, organized, and impactful manner.

Significant Economic Contributions

According to him, the Musang King durian industry is currently making a significant contribution to the national economy, with Malaysia’s durian export value reaching over RM1.2 billion in 2023. More than 95 percent of the total fresh and frozen durian exports from the country are directed to the Chinese market.

“The high demand from China and neighboring countries makes Musang King a strategic long-term commodity that needs to be managed more systematically.

“For cooperatives in Sarawak, involvement in the Musang King value chain opens opportunities to integrate production from rural areas into the main market in a more structured manner,” he explained.