Malaysia’s Durian Boom Faces China’s Rising Ambitions
Raub, a small town in Malaysia, has become impossible to talk about without mentioning durians. The fruit is everywhere — on trucks rolling through the hills, on giant roadside sculptures, and on signs welcoming visitors to the home of the famous Musang King. Once known for gold mining, Raub is now driven by a booming durian economy that has turned the town bright yellow with opportunity. At the heart of this boom is China’s exploding demand. In 2024, Chinese buyers imported about seven billion dollars’ worth of durians, nearly three times more than just four years earlier. Today, more than 90 percent of the world’s durian exports go to China, making it the most important market for growers across Southeast Asia. Raub has gained special fame for Musang King durians, a premium variety known for its rich, creamy taste with […]
