December 29, 2025
PETALING JAYA – Perhaps it’s time to harvest ideas from Malaysians on what should be recognised as the country’s national fruit.
So far, there have been proposals from durian manufacturers who want the King of Fruits to be given its due, while the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board is backing its namesake fruit.
Aside from the vote for durian and pineapple, Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the department has not received any other formal applications on the matter.
“If there are other suggestions, the ministry will consider any new proposals forwarded to us,” she said when contacted.
The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry earlier confirmed it had received two proposals – one supporting durian and another backing the pineapple.
Both sides are seeking recognition as Malaysia’s official national fruit. The proposals are still under technical review and will later be presented to the Cabinet for consideration.
The Star reported on Nov 10 that the Durian Manufacturers Association had asked the ministry in September to declare durian as the national fruit. The group also wanted July 7 to be declared National Durian Day.
This led to objections from Indonesia with its Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan voicing his disagreement, citing Indonesia’s larger production of the fruit compared to Malaysia.
Even Time magazine picked up on the fight, writing that a “geopolitical battle is being waged over the so-called king of tropical fruits, a spiky, pungent and polarising fruit known as durian”.
Despite Indonesia’s assertion, latest data from the Agriculture Department showed that durian production in Malaysia continues to grow.
Malaysia recorded an output of 568,806.8 tonnes of durian from 92,116.3ha of planted land.
Peninsular Malaysia contributed 519,854.9 tonnes, while Sabah produced 19,034.5 tonnes and Sarawak 29,880.9 tonnes.
Johor, Pahang and Kelantan were the top durian-producing states, accounting for more than two-thirds of the national harvest.
Johor led with 189,778.8 tonnes, followed by Pahang with 124,120.7 tonnes and Kelantan with 66,800.3 tonnes.
Last year, Malaysia exported 43,461.44 tonnes of durian worth RM1.176bil.
China was the biggest market, taking 19,246.48 tonnes valued at RM888.4mil, followed by Singapore with 18,505.95 tonnes and Hong Kong with 2,725.05 tonnes.
The rise in production matches the expansion of durian planting nationwide.
The Malaysia Agrofood Book 2023 reported that the total planted area increased from 70,286ha in 2019 to 92,129ha in 2024.
The country’s pineapple industry has also grown strongly in recent years.
Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh said production stability and consistent volume would be important if Malaysia were to decide on a national fruit.
“Export performance, value chain readiness, cultural significance and overall economic contribution also matter.
“From a practical point of view, pineapple’s stable production and strong export growth make it a serious candidate for national recognition.
“If Malaysia were to consider a ‘national fruit’ designation, production stability, consistent volume, export performance and value chain readiness should be among the key criteria, alongside cultural significance and economic contribution.
“Pineapple’s stable production and positive export growth trajectory make it a strong candidate under such pragmatic criteria,” he said.
Malaysia exported about 11,633 tonnes of fresh pineapple last year, valued at RM23mil, as well as 30,735 tonnes of processed products such as juice and canned pineapple to more than 20 countries.
The total export value was around RM1.17bil.
“Exports have strengthened over the past six months, with container shipments rising from about 800 to 1,727, showing good momentum going into 2025.
“Our main markets are still in Asia and the Middle East, but we are also testing new destinations such as New Zealand to widen our market base,” he said in an interview.
Pineapple production has been more stable than durian, which is affected by seasons and weather.
Johor, Pahang, Kedah and Sarawak have reported steady growth, with Sarawak targeting 20,000ha of pineapple by 2030.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, LPNM has been allocated about RM290mil for eight key programmes to support the industry, including efforts to improve productivity, expand market access and strengthen management across the supply and value chain.
In June, the LPNM proposed that pineapple be designated as the national fruit. It also declared June 27 as National Pineapple Day.
LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said the pineapple was suggested as the national fruit not only for its economic value but also for its distinctive characteristics, which he said made it suitable for national recognition.
The proposal, he said, would be submitted to the ministry.