In a boost for Penang’s durian tourism, the Penang Fruit Farmers Association Introduces QR Code Certification for Durian Origin for the benefit of durian lovers from all over the world.
In a recent event, Penang State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Creative Economy also handed over a total of 2,000 copies of the promotional brochure titled “Durian Legend: Savoring Penang’s King of Fruits” to the Penang Fruit Farmers Association at his Paya Terubong service centre.
The brochures are intended for distribution to local fruit farmers and durian traders and will be widely utilized at durian sales points and in tourism promotion activities.
The Penang Fruit Farmers Association currently comprises approximately 250 members, all of whom are small and medium-scale orchard owners in Penang. About 200 of them are actively involved in durian cultivation.
Wong shared that feedback from durian growers under the association indicated that the durian brochure introduced by the Penang State Government in 2024 had been very well received by tourists, wholesalers, retailers, and industry stakeholders alike.
“In view of this positive response, the State Government has once again improved and updated the brochure this year, with additional and improved information on durian stalls, farms, estates, and resorts across both Penang Island and Seberang Perai,” he said. “This allows visitors to easily locate and explore Penang’s diverse durian tourism landscape.”
He also added that the brochure, formerly titled “All Hail The King of Fruits Penang”, has been rebranded as “Durian Legend: Savoring Penang’s King of Fruits”, reflecting a refreshed identity that further highlights the rich cultural heritage and uniqueness of Penang durians.
“This initiative reflects the State Government’s strong commitment to continuously develop the durian tourism industry in collaboration with local farmers, while promoting the integration of agriculture and tourism,” he said. “Through comprehensive, illustrated and practical content, we hope more domestic and international visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of Penang’s distinctive durian heritage, further strengthening the brand of Penang as the ‘King of Fruits’ destination.”
Wong also highlighted that the brochure serves not only as a tourism guide but also as a practical support tool for farmers and traders during the harvest season.
“In addition to physical copies, the latest digital version of the brochure has also been shared with the Penang Fruit Farmers Association. This enables farmers and traders to easily download, forward, print, and distribute the material, thereby improving promotional efficiency and outreach,” he said.
The public, tourists, and industry players may download the brochure via the following links:
Wong further stated that Penang durians are widely recognized for their premium quality, rich aroma, and creamy texture, making them highly sought after by food lovers worldwide.
“The primary purpose of this brochure is not only to serve as a guide for visitors exploring Penang’s durian offerings, but also to function as a reliable reference during purchasing decisions,” he said.
He added that the brochure provides detailed visuals of durian varieties, including whole fruit images and cross-sectional illustrations, enabling consumers to better identify and select their preferred durian types at sales locations.
At the same time, vendors are able to use the brochure as a visual reference tool at their stalls, helping customers make informed comparisons and purchases in a transparent manner, thus reducing misunderstandings and enhancing fair trade practices.
The Penang Fruit Farmers Association also shared with Wong a new initiative introduced this year to further safeguard authenticity and enhance consumer confidence. In order to prevent cases of durians from other states or countries being falsely labelled as “Penang durians,” the association has introduced a QR code authentication system for each durian produced in Penang.
By scanning the QR code attached to each durian, consumers can immediately access information such as the fruit’s identification code, origin, farm details, and the farm’s official licence number. To prevent misuse or duplication, each QR code is valid for seven days only, ensuring a secure, transparent, and trustworthy verification system that protects both consumers and the reputation of Penang durians.
Source – Penang State Tourism Office