Due to a shortage of liquid nitrogen, Malaysian durian exporters warn of a “trouble” in 2023.
The Malaysian Insight reported today that due to high demand and a limited supply of liquid nitrogen, Malaysia may be forced to reduce its durian exports, particularly to China, harming local producers’ income.
The Duricious Sdn Bhd founder Simon Chin as saying that more Malaysian businesspeople are hopping on the export bandwagon, which is causing farmers to produce more and necessitates the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the prickly fruit. Liquid nitrogen is now more in demand at numerous durian processing facilities. However, there are only three businesses in Malaysia that produce liquid nitrogen, and there is a shortage of it. If the issue isn’t fixed this year, it can cause a dilemma for the export of durians.
Due to the fact that Malaysia can only ship whole durians to China if they are first frozen, exporters utilise liquid nitrogen to fast freeze durians in order to preserve the fruit’s flavour and texture before it spoils.
The element is in great demand for the oil and gas business as well, according to Chin, who told the news portal that the price of liquid nitrogen has doubled and that facilities that process durians don’t always get the amount they ordered, if they get any at all.
Before boosting output, the liquid nitrogen suppliers must first receive permission from the relevant authorities.
James Wong of Pochi Durian Trading Sdn Bhd, another exporter, told The Malaysian Insight that he is out of liquid nitrogen and is having trouble locating a supply. We just cannot process frozen durians without it. Future exports will undoubtedly be impacted by this.
In order to reduce waste, the news outlet claims that durians that cannot be frozen are made into paste or puree.
Particularly types like Musang King and the rising in popularity Black Thorn, Malaysian durians enjoy a significant following in China.
The opening of fresh territory in the highland forests of Kelantan for durian plantations is one of the reasons for Malaysia’s increased durian output.
The sale of durians, which have gained popularity in China, has increased as a result of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, a free trade deal between Asia-Pacific countries.
