KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 ― Durians from Malaysia are proving to be just as popular as Apple's new iPhone X in China, a minister said today.

Speaking while answering a question from Datuk Liang Teck Meng (Simpang Renggam-Barisan Nasional) during Question Time in Parliament today, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said export demands for Malaysian durian should not be seen negatively.

"There are those who say that in China, there are only two things people queue for ― one, when iPhone X is released, and second, when Malaysian durian is available,” he said.

Shabery also denied that the demand for Chinese export was the primary factor behind high durian prices across the country recently.

Instead, Shabery said that the high prices are actually caused by low production season for durians.

"Right now we are only producing 20, 30 per cent from our normal production volume,” he said.

"When there is increased production the price will come down,” he added.