Penang ramps up durian industry as production tops 18,800 tonnes
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s top durian growers were recognised at the Penang Durian Competition, an annual showcase of the state’s finest cultivars, held in conjunction with Pesta Durian.
The competition featured six categories – durian kampung registered varieties, Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Musang King and Black Thorn – with growers from the southwest district dominating most of the top honours.
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Two-time state durian competition champion Tan Chee Keat claimed the Musang King title while Md Rahmat emerged as champion in the Black Thorn category.
Veteran grower Tan Eow Chong and his family also enjoyed another successful outing, winning multiple awards across several categories. He had previously won the Hor Lor (D163) category at the 2023 Penang durian competition before adding the Musang King crown this year.
“Winning today is an honour and I will keep looking at how to improve our fruit and orchard at Durian Hill Plantation.”
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted that the festival serves as more than a celebration of the state’s prized fruit.
“Organising the durian festival not only helps promote Penang durians and the state’s agro-food industry, but also prepares us for the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition while strengthening the Penang durian brand, expanding markets for agricultural products and increasing the incomes of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.”
Pesta Durian, held in Nibong Tebal, featured agricultural exhibitions, vendor booths, agro-tourism promotions and a free durian feast, bringing together growers, industry players and the public to celebrate Penang’s annual durian season.
Chow said Penang remains one of Malaysia’s leading producers of premium quality durians, with production increasing from 17,910 metric tonnes in 2024 to 18,870 metric tonnes in 2025. The state’s durian cultivation area is expected to expand to 2,220ha this year.
He said the southwest district on Penang Island, Central Seberang Perai and South Seberang Perai continue to be the state’s main durian-producing areas, producing premium varieties that are highly sought after in domestic and international markets.
He added that the Penang and federal governments allocated RM14.53 million this year to support the state’s agriculture and agro-food industries, including initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of Penang’s premium durian industry.
The allocation comprised RM6.37 million from the Penang government, RM2.23 million from federal agriculture allocations and RM5.93 million under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s National Agro-Food Strengthening Programme.
A total of RM400,000 of the state allocation has been earmarked for fruit cultivation, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the fruit industry, said Agro-Technology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol.
He said the state would continue improving irrigation and agricultural infrastructure while working with the Agriculture Department to boost fruit exports and expand into overseas markets.
