By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Malaysia (KPKM), through the Agriculture Counsellor Office Dubai, is hosting “Taste of Malaysia: Durian & Feast @ Dubai” on 31 July and 1 August 2026 at MySquare Restaurant, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Business Bay.
Premium Malaysian durian is the centrepiece of the two-day programme, complemented by a curated selection of tropical fruits and Malaysian dishes that showcase the quality, diversity and versatility of Malaysia’s agrofood offerings.
The programme comprises the Malaysian Durian & Feast Night on 31 July and the Malaysian Durian & Feast High Tea on 1 August. Guests can experience the distinctive taste and quality of Malaysian durian alongside tropical fruits such as pineapple, jackfruit, mangosteen, rambutan, guava, dragon fruit, watermelon and honeydew.
Malaysia’s durian industry has grown into an increasingly important export segment. According to the Department of Agriculture Malaysia, the country recorded durian exports valued at approximately RM1.18 billion, totalling 43,461 metric tonnes, in 2024.
In 2024, Malaysia’s exports of tropical fruits to GCC markets were valued at approximately RM9.3 million. The UAE was the leading destination, accounting for about RM8.1 million, driven primarily by exports of pineapples, coconuts and watermelons, underscoring the country’s importance as a key regional market for Malaysian fruits.
In addition to promoting Malaysian durian and tropical fruits, the event also showcases a selection of Malaysian dishes in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia. This culinary component supports Malaysia’s gastrodiplomacy efforts by using food as a platform to introduce the country’s cultural heritage, diverse flavours and tourism appeal to consumers and industry stakeholders in the UAE.
The menu features Malaysian favourites such as nasi kerabu, nasi lemak, satay, beef and jackfruit rendang, and ayam pandan bakar berempah, together with durian-based desserts including kek durian leleh and pengat sagu durian. While durian and tropical fruits remain the principal focus of the programme, the Malaysian menu provides a broader representation of the country’s gastronomic offerings and highlights the potential of Malaysian food products within the tourism, hospitality and food service sectors.
Beyond consumer promotion, the event serves as a market-development and business-matching platform for Malaysian exporters, producers and agro-entrepreneurs. Organised in collaboration with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and supported by Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai, the programme enables participants to obtain market feedback, assess consumer preferences and engage with potential importers, distributors, retailers, hotels, restaurants and catering operators in the UAE. Potential outcomes include buyer enquiries, product evaluations and future retail, food service or distribution partnerships.
The Agriculture Counsellor Office Dubai will facilitate follow-up engagements with interested buyers and provide Malaysian companies with relevant market intelligence and guidance on market access, import requirements, product registration, packaging, logistics and distribution.
Dubai remains an important gateway for Malaysian agrofood exporters, supported by its diverse consumer base, internationally recognised hospitality sector, modern retail network, strong logistics connectivity and role as a regional trade and re-export hub.
“Taste of Malaysia: Durian & Feast @ Dubai” supports KPKM’s broader efforts to diversify export markets, strengthen the international branding of Malaysian durian and tropical fruits, and position Malaysia as a reliable supplier of high-quality, market-ready agrofood products to the UAE and the wider GCC region.