KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Malaysia’s famed exotic delicacy — Musang King durian — will be available in the UK soon.

A report in a UK daily newspaper, The Independent, regarded the Musang King durian as the “king of fruits” because it was said to be far larger and more fragrant than the Thai variety, now available in Chinese supermarkets in the UK. Stanley Harper, spokesman for a UK-based Malaysian Kitchen programme, said although durian had been available in the UK for a couple of years, they were only the smaller Thai variety.

“The Malaysian durian is a lot better, it’s the best place to get hold of them,” he told The Independent.

“It’s much more fragrant and available in a lot bigger sizes as well.”

1Malaysia Musang King durian orchard owner Michael Ng said Malaysian durians were rarely exported to the UK owing to low demand. “Should the demand grow in the UK, it will be a boost to local durian exporters,” said Ng, whose orchard is in Bentong, Pahang.

Another durian orchard owner, Jimmy Loke, said it was a risky investment because the demand from the UK was uncertain.

However, Loke said society today was into exploring exotic food, which added to Malaysia’s tourism industry.

The orchard owners estimate the prices (if exported) would range from seasonal prices of RM80 to RM100/kg.