`Durian Party’ Nears Its End, Musang King, Duri Hitam Return To Original Prices

KUALA LUMPUR: After nearly two months of ‘feasting’ following an extraordinary glut that saw the king of fruits’ prices plummet, the durian season is now nearing its end as supply dwindles.

A survey at several durian sales locations around the Klang Valley found that most traders admit supply is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, especially involving premium varieties such as Musang King and Duri Hitam.

In fact, some traders have already planned to temporarily halt operations in the near future due to supply shortages.

Most popular and premium varieties are now being offered at higher prices compared to the peak of the glut. Some sales locations no longer sell premium durians due to a lack of supply.

Among them, the Musang King and Duri Hitam varieties are sold starting from RM25 per kilogram, while Kahwin (RM18) and Kampung (RM8) types are also available.

Durian trader in Kampung Pandan, Mohammad Shafik Dipis, 33, said the supply shortage occurs as the durian season is now nearing its end.

He said this situation makes supply from several major producing states increasingly difficult to obtain, with some having already been fully exhausted.

“Durian from Negeri Sembilan and Johor are finished, while Pahang only has about five to 10 percent remaining. Now, the local durians that are still available are mostly kampung durians from Perak and Kelantan. Even those are almost finished,” he said.

Mohammad Shafik said the change has been felt since two weeks ago, and this situation has also prompted some traders to obtain durians from Thailand to meet customer demand.

“The shortage of stock has also caused the prices of most varieties to rise again, including Musang King, which was previously available at much lower prices during the glut. Now almost all have increased because there is no stock. Musang King prices start from RM28 and can reach RM42 per kilogram,” he said.

Meanwhile, a durian trader in Taman Medan, Hazlan Tampong, 43, plans to temporarily close his business in the near future after nearly two months of trading throughout this season.

He said the decision was made following a decrease in fruit supply, especially premium varieties, since two weeks ago.

“Indeed, since last week supply has decreased. Musang King is also almost unavailable, and now there are more kampung durians taken from suppliers in Sungkai, Perak.

“Maybe in two or three more days I will close and return to my village before resuming business when the next season begins,” he said.

Hazlan, however, is grateful that in his nine years involved in the durian business, the glut that occurred this season was the most extraordinary.

“This year is indeed the most intense in my nine years of trading. There were too many fruits at the peak of the season.

“I am grateful, although I faced challenges with capital outlay and high operating costs, this season has provided double the blessings for small traders like me. At the same time, I am also able to share these blessings with my workers and other customers,” he said.

Berita Harian