Penang Deploys Durian Tracking Tech To Stop Imitations From Ruining Its Name

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Penang is rolling out tech protection for its most iconic fruit. From 1 June, every durian officially grown in the state will carry a barcode tag verifying its origin. Led by the Penang government in partnership with national R&D centre MIMOS, the move is part of a new traceability system known as Track and Trace.

Each durian will be tagged with a barcode linked to a certified orchard. The goal is to ensure that consumers know exactly where their fruit came from and whether it truly hails from the famed orchards of Balik Pulau. The certificate and barcode will be recognised by both state and federal authorities.

The decision follows a rising number of complaints from local growers who say their brand is being diluted by unscrupulous sellers marketing inferior durians from other states or Thailand as Penang produce. Penang wants to cut off this counterfeit pipeline and preserve the reputation it has spent decades building.

With this launch, Penang becomes the first Malaysian state to apply digital verification to its durians. The system is modelled after similar practices already used in Thailand. Once in effect, customers can simply scan the tag on a durian stem and confirm whether it truly came from Penang or is just wearing a borrowed identity.

The Track and Trace system is expected to improve supply chain transparency, strengthen compliance with agricultural regulations, and increase consumer confidence. The technology may also position Penang durians more competitively on the global stage.

With the durian season starting in June, exports are already picking up. In 2024, Penang exported over 67000 kilograms of durians. China alone bought nearly 39000 kilograms. Demand remains strong in other markets too, including Singapore.

Among the most exported varieties are Musang King and Black Thorn. Both are already favourites among international buyers and are grown under the MyGAP agricultural certification programme, which meets the standards of many importing countries.

Two newer varieties, Kim Long and Cenderawasih, were officially registered in Penang in 2023. While some growers have reported slightly lower yields this season, state officials are confident that export volumes will remain steady.

The traceability initiative is being developed alongside agencies including FAMA, the State Agrotechnology and Tourism committees, and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. Officials say this collaborative approach is key to building a more resilient and credible durian supply chain.

If the King of Fruits is going global, it better come with a receipt.