King of Fruits in the Land of the Rising Sun

Hernan’s Frozen Durian Pulp

In an endeavour to promote Malaysian products and services globally during the pandemic, MATRADE continues to support Malaysian companies and exporters, including SMEs in their participation at the various trade promotional programmes and business meetings, both physical and virtual. With the consistent support from MATRADE, one of Malaysia’s largest exporters for durian related products, Hernan Corporation Sdn Bhd has managed to seal an export deal via virtual business meetings organised by MATRADE at the end of last year. 

The maiden shipment of frozen durians (Musang King and D101) by Hernan Corporation has safely arrived at the Tokyo Port

The maiden shipment of frozen durians (Musang King and D101) by Hernan Corporation has safely arrived at the Tokyo Port, Japan in mid-January 2021. This is the company’s first shipment to the Japanese market after attempting to explore the market for several years. They have participated in various trade promotional events and business matchings led by MATRADE, including participation in the iconic F&B exhibition in Japan such as FOODEX Japan. Currently, Hernan Corp. has exported to more than 12 countries, including Australia, China, EU Countries, Hong Kong, New Zealand, UK and USA. 

Trade Commissioner of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Tokyo, Mr Niqman Rafaee M. Sahar, said, “Malaysia offers a variety of quality products that can adhere to the high standards and stringent market entry regulations in Japan. Although durian related products are considered new to local consumers and more promotion is still needed to educate the domestic market, demand has been positive with growing enquiries from Asian speciality stores and restaurants. It is important to have a good local partner and importer which will support and assist the product registration and distribution process, promotion and network in the local market”.

The durian products in Japan will be distributed and made accessible at local supermarkets, speciality grocery stores, online operators, restaurants and others

The durian products in Japan will be distributed and made accessible at local supermarkets, speciality grocery stores, online operators, restaurants and others. For a start, the products will be available in major cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. 

Japan being the third-largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and fourth-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP), offers interesting areas of opportunities which Malaysian companies can explore. Food and beverages market size in Japan is worth more than USD230 billion and the opportunities available also include Halal related products and services. 

“Malaysian companies are also encouraged to focus on the booming e-commerce industry in Japan. With the current pandemic situation, sales via online platforms have been growing at a double-digit rate and more business opportunities can be explored by leveraging this USD150 billion e-commerce market,” added Niqman.

In 2020, Japan remained as Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner for six consecutive years, with total trade amounted to RM122.73 billion. Our exports to Japan has exceeded total imports from Japan by RM650 million. MATRADE hopes that with the active participation of Malaysian companies in our programmes, the exports value can further increase parallel with the development of vaccine and improvement of the pandemic management.  

For more information on the prospect of other food and beverages products and generally, export opportunities in Japan, Malaysian companies can contact MATRADE office in Tokyo and Osaka at tokyo@matrade.gov.my and osaka@matrade.gov.my.