【独家】泰国暂停收购·本地压价 劳勿榴梿商料亏数亿
https://www.klsescreener.com/v2/news/view/1...%95%B0%E4%BA%BFTranslated :
(Raub, 5th June) Thai buyers have suspended their purchases, while local buyers are using the excuse of "black seeds" to negotiate lower prices. The Musang King durian economy is facing a "major disaster" amidst internal and external troubles.
If the situation continues, the industry estimates that the Raub durian industry alone will suffer losses in the hundreds of millions of Malaysian Ringgit during this durian season.
Grade A Musang King durians have been downgraded in quality, causing sellers to lose at least half of their profits, putting durian farmers in a dilemma.
Affected by the current hot weather, over 10% of Musang King durians have developed "black seeds." Coupled with a slowdown in the purchasing market, the offers from Musang King buyers have dropped from at least 55 Malaysian Ringgit per kilogram to the current price of around 23 Malaysian Ringgit in less than two weeks.
The price war began during the early harvest season, causing significant losses for durian farmers.
Musang King durian industry players are in a dilemma.
According to farmers, the durian market is monopolized, leading to constant price suppression by the buyers.
Originally, the plan was for the durians to be harvested using Thai harvesting techniques, transported to Thailand, and then exported to China. However, this plan caused tensions in Malaysia and prompted the Thai government to take action by imposing a complete ban on durian imports from Malaysia.
At the same time, there is strong demand for durians in overseas markets, prompting neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Myanmar to prepare to enter the market competition. However, the Malaysian government is criticized for not being proactive in protecting farmers and preparing for risks.
Farmers even describe the current situation in the Musang King industry as being "mired in a quagmire, facing a dilemma."
Only over 20 export permits issued
Industry players also claim that there has been no close communication between the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers in Raub since the outbreak of the issue. They feel that the prices of Musang King durians sold to buyers have been suppressed due to a lack of competition in the purchasing market.
They had originally expected that after harvesting the durians using Thai techniques this season, they would be transported to Thailand and then exported to China. However, this issue has caused tensions within Malaysia, resulting in the Thai government implementing a "border closure" action, completely banning the import of Malaysian durians.
Meanwhile, the demand for durians in overseas markets remains high, prompting countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines to obtain permits to export whole durians to China. They have surpassed Malaysia in terms of planting Musang King durians.
"It's regrettable that we have a huge business opportunity, but it hasn't received much attention from the government. In order to survive, farmers can only seek more sales channels, such as inviting Thai buyers to come and harvest. After all, the only countries that can export fresh durians are Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines."
She claims that since the outbreak of the issue, there have been no representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture who have come to Raub or other durian-growing areas to understand the problem firsthand.
"It would be a good thing if Thai harvesting techniques could help farmers open up the Chinese market, but the industry players must ensure that there is 'Malaysian Durian Certification' to prove its origin."
Assisting fruit farmers in expanding the market
According to the acting chairman and grower of the Pahang Fruit Farmers Association, Ning Enxiang, the initial harvest period of durians has triggered a price war in the purchasing market, catching the fruit farmers off guard.
He stated that many industry players had high hopes for the development of the Musang King durian industry chain, with some even willing to obtain loans for investment. However, they are now facing fluctuations in sales and prices, which is quite disheartening.
He hopes that the government can immediately seek countermeasures to assist fruit farmers in exploring broader export markets, rather than leaving them to their own devices.
"Our government has never shown concern for the durian industry. Whenever domestic agricultural products face difficulties, the Ministry of Agriculture has not provided any assistance."
Concerns about the replacement of good brands
Lu Yuting, an advisor to the Pahang State Agricultural Products and Ecotourism Association, expressed regret that the government has never assisted in promoting the development of the durian industry, especially in terms of exporting fresh fruits to China using liquid nitrogen, which has been going on for many years.
He hopes that the Ministry of Agriculture will accelerate its efforts to improve and keep up with the times. After all, fruit farmers are facing increasingly fierce competition. If the sales chain is not properly established, the brand that our country's durian farmers have worked hard to build will be handed over to other countries without a fight.
He said that China is an important market that our country's durian farmers value, and he recently conducted a political and business investigation in Nanning with Pahang state assembly members, receiving positive feedback.
"Chinese consumers still prefer naturally ripened Musang King durians. If this route opens up, it will bring business opportunities to a large number of farmers."
He stated that the intense price war in the current market has severely affected the morale of fruit farmers. With the current strict fruit evaluation system, small-scale fruit farmers without financial support will be the first to be affected, facing financial difficulties and no profitability.
Difficulties in the agricultural industry
Zou Shengzhe, a durian grower, stated that the durian market is undergoing a tremendous change, and farmers must unite to cope with fierce competition.
He said that the agricultural industry will not always be smooth sailing, but each time, it is a difficult challenge to overcome.
"The government needs to improve and strengthen its awareness, assisting fruit farmers in opening up broader sales channels. If the sales channels are blocked, not only will farmers face losses, but national income will also be affected."
Troubled by the phenomenon of "black seeds"
The adverse climate has affected the soil and damaged the ecology, leading to the occurrence of "black seeds" in over 10% of newly introduced Musang King durian trees due to insufficient water supply.
Li Biqiang, the president of the Pahang State Agricultural Products and Ecotourism Association, stated that many growers have raised concerns about the aforementioned issue, and he has consulted some experts on this matter.
"According to their conclusions, this is due to the dry and hot climate, which has unexpectedly deep negative impacts on the soil. Additionally, the irrigated water cannot reach the roots of the trees, causing them to lack water."
He said that climate is a key factor affecting soil ecology. If this situation continues, it will affect the growth of crops and pose unpredictable potential risks to agriculture.
"In the past, we have experienced high temperatures in our country, and farmers could only figure out measures to cope on their own. I believe that in the future, we will still face extreme weather conditions. It is time for the Ministry of Agriculture to pay attention and assist fruit farmers in seeking measures to adapt
