Malaysia’s durian glut to keep prices low until August

A bumper harvest across several regions has created an oversupply in the country, sending prices tumbling in what has been dubbed a “durian tsunami.”

Even the prized Musang King has plunged 90% to as low as RM9 (US$2.2) per kilogram, according to AFP.

Other varieties like 101 and Red Prawn are selling for as little as RM2 per fruit while some regular durians go for just RM0.5 each, as reported by Sin Chew Daily.

Kweh Tieok Eng, a 66-year-old trader in Selangor, said this season’s supply was among the biggest he had seen in his decade in the business, with prices falling to record lows.

Similarly, Jefrizal Auzar, 32, who sells a range of durians at his stall in Johor, said he had never experienced a season like this in his 12 years as a trader.

“It is not just my stall. Most traders are offering similar prices to ensure stocks are sold quickly and to help orchard owners cope with the oversupply,” the New Straits Times quoted him as telling a local media outlet earlier this week.

With the season likely to run through August and industry players expecting prices to stay subdued until then, consumers will have plenty of time to feast on cheap fruit.

Export-grade fruits mostly stable

Eric Chan, president of the Durian Manufacturers Association, said the market is currently being flooded with durians from Perak, Penang and Johor states, which are all entering the market simultaneously.

“The price drop is due to a lot of fruits not meeting export requirements, particularly for China,” he told The Star.

China makes up about 60% of Malaysia’s durian exports worth RM1.5 billion annually, according to an official from the Southeast Asian country’s Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority.

Stephen Chow, a durian orchard owner, said Grade A and AB durians that meet export requirements are still fetching RM30-40 per kilogram, mostly unaffected by the price crash.

“The biggest impact is on Grade C and smaller fruits,” he said.

The surplus supply has also prompted action from FAMA, which has introduced a floor price mechanism of RM2.7 per kilogram for kampung (village) durians bought from growers under forward purchase agreements with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

The agency’s deputy director-general said on Wednesday that companies and entrepreneurs backed by FAMA had also helped ease the oversupply by purchasing 1,199 tonnes of durians worth RM3.28 million.

Authorities in Penang, a state known for its durians, are also stepping in to support exporters grappling with logistical hurdles and elevated transport costs.

Rashidi Zinol, chairman of Penang’s State Trade, Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Committee, said the authorities are discussing ways to provide more space and opportunities for exporters facing difficulties in getting local durian products into overseas markets.

While lower prices have benefited consumers, Rashidi said the state remains committed to supporting industry players, particularly exporters and farmers, amid the current supply glut.

A boon for durian lovers

The sharp decline in prices has been welcomed by Malaysians, for whom durian is well-loved and previously considered a luxury.

Videos of roadside stalls, bargain deals and baskets overflowing with durians have spread across social media as vendors race to roll out generous promotions to move stocks.

Jefrizal said his stall is currently selling up to three tonnes of durians a day, with demand picking up even more on weekends.

“Weekends are usually busier, with visitors from Johor Bahru as well as Singaporean tourists stopping by after visiting Tanjung Piai,” he said.

Lim Mei Ling, a 34-year-old admin executive, said she usually hesitates when buying Musang King because of its high price, but the recent drop had allowed her to enjoy the premium variety and even set some aside for later.

Engineer Kelvin Tan, 41, said he and several friends made the trip from Kuala Lumpur to Raub for cheaper durians.

“It feels like a rare chance to enjoy Musang King without paying a bomb,” he told The Star.