GEORGE TOWN: The prices have dropped but many consumers are not biting.
Musang King durian is now selling at lower prices due to oversupply but traders are not seeing roaring sales yet.
Durian orchard owner Tang Boon Ley believes this is partly due to families prioritising school expenses as the new term begins on Monday.
“Durians are not a priority for them at the moment,” he said in an interview.
Tang said Musang King is now priced between RM20 and RM30 per kg, a sharp drop from RM60 to RM80 per kg during the previous durian season from May to August.
Furthermore, he said weaker consumer spending was also due to the fact that the fruit is being sold outside the main durian season.
“This is considered a ‘bonus’ season,” he said.
Tang said the growing number of Musang King orchard owners had led to an oversupply, further driving prices down. At the same time, newer durian varieties have also entered the market, intensifying competition, he said.
“For durian lovers, this is the best time to enjoy affordable Musang King. This is expected to last until Chinese New Year.
“Prices are likely to return to normal when the new durian season begins in May,” he said.
Once the undisputed favourite among durian fans, Musang King now faces stiff competition from other varieties such as Or Chi (Black Thorn) and Tupai King.
Penang Agriculture Department assistant agricultural officer Fahmirudin Zainol Abidin said wholesale prices for Musang King have dropped significantly, as processing facilities struggle to cope with the surplus.
He said the price decline was driven by simultaneous harvesting in Penang, Perak, Pahang and Johor, with overall production estimated to have tripled.
“This is not a demand issue but a capacity problem. Excess supply has pushed prices down,” he said.
Penang has two durian seasons annually, with the harvest typically peaking in June and July.
A smaller, less predictable harvest can occur from November to January.
In identifying genuine durians from Balik Pulau, particularly Ang Hae (Red Prawn), Fahmirudin said the variety can be determined through subtle physical traits.
“Local Ang Hae typically has a slightly greyish husk and a distinctive fruit shape that differs from similarly named varieties found in Perak, Pahang or Johor.
“Or Chi, on the other hand, is recognised by its rounder shape, widely spaced thorns and a pronounced star-shaped base.
“These are the features growers use to distinguish it from Musang King,” he said.
