Last call for durian season

Getting their durian fix: Ong, 28, (right) speaking to customers from China about durians. He has been in the durian business since young, selling local Balik Pulau fruits at a coffee shop in George Town, Penang. – KT GOH/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: As the state election enters its final week, the King of Fruits is also heading into the last leg of its season.

Orchard owner Eric Yeap said the durian season was expected to end in two or three weeks’ time.“This is the final leg of the season. While there are still fruits, the volume of yield is low.

“Penang does not have a long durian season like other states. The harvest this year is considered quite long since it started in May,” he said, adding that for now, there was still demand, mostly from China visitors.

“Not many locals are buying durian now,” he said.

Yeap said that most of the foreign tourists looked for branded fruits such as Black Thorn and Musang King.

“The price has gone up a wee bit. This is because we do not have as many fruits as other places. In other states, the price of durian is lower because they have the quantity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yeap said the recent election activities had not boosted his business.

“Maybe it will be different when people return to vote on Saturday,” he said.

Another durian trader, Paul Ong, said the second part of the season began a week ago and there was not much time left before the season ends.

“I only sell durian from Penang as I want people to enjoy our local fruits.

“I have not raised my prices as I think they are already on the high side,” he said, adding that Musang King costs RM40/kg and Black Thorn costs RM60/kg.He said that buyers, especially foreigners, did not seem to mind the prices.

“Most of my customers are tourists from China. Sometimes they come here to my stall to eat durian all day,” he said.

Ong said that after running his stall for over four years, he came up with ways to offer the fruits at a cheaper price.

“I package them in boxes and offer three (boxes) for RM50, for those who do not want to buy the fruit per kg.

“This is my way of making it easier for others,” said Ong, who grew up in the durian business as his family owns a small orchard in Alor Setar.