Indonesia has launched its first direct export of frozen durian to China, shipping 48 tonnes of the commodity worth IDR 5.1 billion (US$305,000) on Monday. The products, processed in West Java, departed from Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta and are destined for Qingdao Port in China.
“This marks the culmination of a long series of processes that took a considerable amount of time and required substantial resources,” said Sahat M. Panggabean, head of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin), on Monday. He added that the preparation process took nearly two years to complete.
Barantin said the export was driven by market observations indicating strong demand among Chinese consumers for durian with distinctive taste profiles, a niche Indonesia believes it can fill. Until now, China has largely relied on durian supplies from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Indonesian exporters, meanwhile, have mainly acted as upstream suppliers to these countries, which then process, package, and re-export the products to China.
To shift this pattern, Barantin initiated government-to-government discussions with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). The talks resulted in China issuing a draft export protocol for Indonesian frozen durian, which was later finalized and signed on May 25 by Sahat and GACC Minister Sun Meijin, paving the way for direct shipments.
Acting Deputy for Plant Quarantine Drama Panca Putra said traceability was one of the most critical aspects of the export approval process, particularly for frozen durian packing houses. To date, eight facilities have met the requirements to be designated as Export-Oriented Quarantine Installations (IKT). These packing houses are authorized to conduct visual plant health inspections and serve as export hubs for frozen durian shipments to China. Seven of the facilities are located in Central Sulawesi, while one is in Bogor, West Java. All are registered under China’s Import Food Enterprise Registration system.
Secretary General of the Indonesian Durian Plantation Association (Apdurin) Aditya Pradewo said business players have welcomed the opening of the Chinese market. “The Chinese market is a giant cake for durian exporters,” he said, noting that China’s annual durian demand is valued at around IDR 128 trillion (US$8 billion).
With premium varieties such as Bawor, Super Tembaga, and Namlung, Indonesia is targeting a 5 to 10 percent share of the Chinese market, which could generate between IDR 6.4 trillion and IDR 12.8 trillion in foreign exchange earnings annually. Aditya added that direct exports significantly reduce logistics costs and improve margins, as durian prices in China are currently five to seven times higher than domestic prices.
Durian business player Muchlido Apriliast, owner of PT Zarafa Ridho Lestari, echoed this view, saying Indonesian exporters previously routed frozen durian shipments through Thailand at a cost of around US$18,000 per container. Under the new protocol, direct exports have reduced logistics costs to between US$10,000 and US$11,000 per container, resulting in savings of roughly US$8,000 per shipment.
Under the protocol, exportable frozen durian products include pulp, puree, and whole durian derived from fresh, ripe Indonesian fruit that has undergone quick freezing. Barantin data show Indonesia exported 10,162 tonnes of durian between January and November 2025. Major destinations included Thailand (6,003 tonnes), China (2,574 tonnes), and Malaysia (1,532 tonnes), with smaller shipments sent to Hong Kong, Germany, and other markets.
December 16, 2025, The Jakarta Post
(https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/12/16/indonesia-sends-first-direct-shipment-of-frozen-durian-to-china.html)