Indonesia’s Frozen Durian Officially Enters Chinese Market

Jakarta: Indonesia has officially begun exporting frozen durian to China, with an initial shipment of around 48 tons entering the Chinese market through Qinzhou Port, according to the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin).

In a statement on Friday, Barantin Head Sahat Manaor Panggabean said the first shipment was dispatched on December 15, 2025, and arrived at Qinzhou Port on January 6, 2026, after meeting all customs and quarantine requirements.

“The acceptance of Indonesian frozen durian in China proves that our national quarantine system is recognized and trusted to ensure product health and quality standards in line with international requirements,” Panggabean said, as quoted from Antara, Friday, 9 January 2026.

He explained that the shipment marked the implementation of a frozen durian export quarantine protocol formally agreed upon by Indonesian and Chinese authorities following years of technical consultations and bilateral cooperation.

Market confidence in China, he added, has been strengthened through the application of a comprehensive traceability system covering the entire supply chain—from plantations and processing facilities to shipment—ensuring food safety, plant health, and product quality.

The entry of Indonesian frozen durian also supports the development of the China-ASEAN Fruit Trading Center as a key logistics hub for Southeast Asian fruit trade, equipped with integrated customs clearance and inspection facilities.

In 2025, Qinzhou Port operated 44 shipping routes to ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, as part of China’s New Western Land-Sea Corridor initiative.

With the planned opening of the Pinglu Canal in 2026, Qinzhou Port is expected to become a strategic maritime gateway for southwestern China, potentially reducing logistics costs for ASEAN agricultural products by up to 30 percent.

Panggabean said the success of the frozen durian export would serve as a foundation for expanding access to the Chinese market for other Indonesian agricultural products.

“This achievement provides a strong basis for increasing exports of other Indonesian agricultural commodities, supported by a robust quarantine system and sustained international cooperation,” he said.