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China craves this smelly fruit. But Malaysian farmers are fighting the weather to grow enough
apnews.com • • world
Key Points:
- Malaysian durian growers like Stephen Chow face increasing challenges due to climate change, with extreme weather events such as floods and persistent rain damaging crops and reducing yields.
- Rising fuel and fertilizer costs, partly driven by the Iran war, have increased production expenses, while an oversupply of durians in Malaysia has caused prices to drop significantly.
- Malaysia’s durian industry has expanded rapidly, fueled by strong demand from China, which accounts for about 95% of global durian imports, but Malaysian growers still lag behind Thailand and Vietnam in export volume.
- Climate change is causing higher temperatures and more pests, prompting some growers to adapt by relocating orchards to cooler areas or adopting technology like sensors to monitor environmental conditions and improve crop management.
- Experts emphasize that resilience and preparedness can help farmers turn extreme weather challenges into opportunities by managing supply and maintaining fruit quality despite adverse conditions.
