Key facts
- Indonesia seeks direct durian exports to China to increase profit margins.
- China is a major consumer of durian, importing around $6.7 billion worth annually.
- Indonesia has over 500,000 hectares of productive transmigration land available for agricultural investment.
- The minister did not specify technical details of the investment proposal.
Indonesian Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara is visiting China to explore direct export opportunities for Indonesian durian, aiming to increase farmer incomes and boost national profit margins. The minister met with Chinese officials and investors, inviting them to partner in developing export-oriented durian plantations and processing facilities in Indonesia. China is a significant consumer of durian, importing approximately $6.7 billion worth annually, while Indonesia possesses suitable land and a productive workforce for cultivation. Currently, Indonesian durian is often exported through intermediaries like Thailand, resulting in lower profit margins for local farmers. The Indonesian government is preparing over 500,000 hectares of land for agricultural investments, with a focus on commodities like durian and coconut, for which China has substantial demand. Discussions also included the potential for direct exports of chicken and eggs.