GEORGE TOWN: Durian prices in Singapore are so high now that our southern neighbours are flying up here to savour the King of Fruits.
Singaporean Stephen Tan, 55, said the price of durians in his country was “quite ridiculous” now.
The businessman said the Musang King variety, known as Mausan in Penang Hokkien, was sold at a minimum price of S$28 (RM82.50) per kg.
“Those are just the medium-grade ones. The Ang Heh (Red Prawn) is sold at a minimum of S$18 (RM53) per kg. The high prices are due to the low yield this year.
“There was a bigger yield last year and the average price was as low as S$9 (RM26.50) per kg,” he said when met at the Poh Beng Estate durian stall in Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru.
Stephen came to Penang with his sister Helen, 57, and brother Patrick, 72. After touching down at the airport, they went straight to the stall for a smorgasbord of D24, Ang Heh and Hor Lor durians.
He said durians in Singapore were mainly imported from Batu Pahat and Muar in Johor as well as Pahang.
“Not many durians are sent to Singapore now due to the lower yield and high demand in Malaysia,” he said.
Stephen, who has property in Penang, said he was hoping to eat the Black Thorn but was disappointed to find the variety had run out.
“That’s my personal favourite besides the Cheh Phoy (Green Skin) and Ang Heh.
“I had to place my order two days before coming here,” he said.
Teoh Nai Teik, who is the proprietor of the 35-year-old Ah Teik durian stall at the corner of Jalan Macalister and Lorong Susu, confirmed that a lot of Singaporeans were frequenting his stall.
“They love Musang King even though it is expensive now. I have to sell the variety at RM70 to RM75 per kg now.
“Last year, I could sell them for RM50 per kg.
“They are hard to find now,” he said, adding that the price of his Ang Heh and Hor Lor durians was still reasonable at RM35 per kg.
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