Koon Yew Yin, 12th June 2025

I have a friend who has a durian plantation in Kuala Kangsar and he is exporting his Musang King durians to China. He often told me how much profit he was making and I did not believe him. I thought he was boasting until I Google to find out the truth.

The population of China is 1,400 million people. The demand for Musang King durian is increasing very rapidly in China.

Yield:

Mature Musang King trees can produce 4 to 6 tonnes of durian per acre annually.

Price: Musang King durians command high prices, sometimes reaching RM 50/kg or higher, especially for top-quality fruits.

Production Costs:

Operational costs, including labor, fertilizers, irrigation, and pest control, are a significant factor.

Market Conditions:

Demand and supply dynamics, as well as competition, can affect prices and profitability.

Management:

Efficient management of the plantation, including tree health, fertilization, and irrigation, can impact yield and quality, ultimately influencing profit.

Example Scenario:

Revenue:

Assuming a yield of 4 tonnes per acre and a price of RM 50/kg, the annual revenue would be around RM 200,000 per acre (4 tonnes * 1000 kg/tonne * RM 50/kg = RM 200,000).

Costs:

Operational costs are estimated to be around RM 100,000 per acre.

Profit:

This would leave a potential pre-tax profit of RM 100,000 per acre (RM 200,000 - RM 100,000 = RM 100,000).

Land Value:

The value of the land itself can also contribute to the overall profitability of a Musang King plantation because the price of the land will naturally increase if it is planted with Musang Kings.

Important Considerations:

Time to Maturity:

Musang King trees typically take 4-6 years to start producing fruits, according to the Global Information System.

Land Investment:

Purchasing land for a Musang King plantation can involve a significant upfront investment, as reported by Plantations International.

Market Fluctuations:

Durian prices can fluctuate due to factors like supply and demand, so it's important to monitor market conditions.

Expertise:

Successful durian farming requires specialized knowledge and expertise in planting, maintenance, and pest control.

Malaysia has how much of forest?

Approximately 58% of Malaysia's land is covered by forest, including both natural forests and tree plantations. This includes tropical rainforests, mangroves, and other types of forest ecosystems.

In 2020, Malaysia had 18.1 million hectares of natural forest, covering 55% of its land area, while 7.0% was non-natural tree cover, according to Global Forest Watch.

Our government under PM Anwar should sell some of the forest land by open tender to avoid corruption to increase durian production.

If I am younger, I will buy some land to plant Musang Kings.