Durian prices expected to drop in June

Prized fruit: Hock Beng showing the Musang King durian at his stall along Macalister Road in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The price of durians is expected to dip next month when the Pahang fruiting season begins and there is more supply.

Durian stall operator Ang Hock Beng, 65, said prices are high right now because Penang, which sends much of the supply to Kuala Lumpur, is running low on durians.

“Kuala Lumpur does not have its durian supply from Pahang just yet. The season in Pahang will begin next month and Kuala Lumpur will no longer need durians from Penang.

“Durian prices will definitely go down then,” he said when met at his stall along Macalister Road here.Hock Beng, who has been operating his stall for over 10 years, however, said there are still regular customers who are willing to spend money on durians despite the high prices.

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“One of our regulars bought all our fruits yesterday, saying they were going to have a family gathering. No one has complained about the prices as they miss eating the fruit,” he said.

Along Anson Road, Ang Hock Leng, 58, who has been running his family stall for over 43 years, said prices have already started going down.

“When the season began, the 604 (a type of durian) was priced at RM40 per kg, but now it is priced at RM25 per kg.

“The Red Prawn was priced at RM45 per kg and is now RM35 per kg.

“The durian season will peak in June, which means there will be a lot of the fruit. Some prices may not fall by much but they will still become cheaper next month,” he said.

Hock Leng said his family has their own farm supplying durians, adding that they do not need to outsource supply.

“We have regular customers, even from other countries like Indonesia and Singapore.”

Among those enjoying durians at the stall with her friends was insurance agent Denise Woon, 39, who had travelled to Penang from Kuala Lumpur for a short holiday.

“The durians are pricey but the fruits are meaty and filling.

“We like durians and the fruits here are sweeter than what we get back home,” she said.