Expect sharp spike in durian prices

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians may have to pay more for durians in the months to come as demand for the “King of Fruits” is exceeding supply.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the supply would likely fall by 30 per cent due to changing weather patterns.

“This is why the Musang King is so expensive nowadays,” he said, in reference to the highly soughtafter durian variant.

In 2013, the average retail price of the Musang King was RM36.50 per kg. However, this year, it shot up to about RM90 per kg, an increase of 42 per cent.

Prices of other durian varieties, such as Durian Kampung and D24, have also increased at all levels of the supply chain.

Noting that the rise in durian prices had made a lot of farmers rich, Shabery said durian was an industry in its own right, with a value of RM1.2 billion.

“Last year, the export value of durian was RM74 million, and we expect that it will increase by 10 per cent this year.

“Our major markets are China and Hong Kong,” he said during a campaign to promote local fruits in Parliament yesterday.

More than three tonnes of durian from all varieties were served to visitors, including members of parliament.

Various durian by-products, such as mooncakes, ice creams, biscuits and coffee were also given away for free. Among those who dropped by to savour the fruits was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. By Fernando Fong