Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut and Iran war hit export trade

Malaysia’s durian growers say they are in “survival mode” as an early bumper harvest collides with a surge in fuel and freight costs, squeezing an export trade built around getting premium fruit into China fast. Hot weather has brought harvests forward, swelling supply just as exporters face higher packaging, energy and transport costs, with the Iran war disrupting fuel supplies and making cargo more expensive. The strain is exposing the vulnerability of Malaysia’s durian industry, which has...

By Ushar Daniele