Cheers for Aussie duo who showcase durians
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are cheering on two Australian farmers who want to bring durian to the world stage with the hope that this can increase the supply of the King of Fruits.
While the king of fruits is typically grown in Asia, Blair Limbert and his business partner Riley Hickson founded The Ripe Time, an Australian farm that grows 50 species of tropical fruit such as durian, cempedak, jackfruit and mangosteen.
Limbert’s and Hickson’s venture was published in The Star and many readers are supportive of the move as it could increase supply to meet global demand.
Lawrence PT Wong noted that if countries like Australia and China could successfully grow and harvest durian, it would affect durian planters in Malaysia and Thailand.
He commented that if Australia is able to sell durian to other countries for less, Malaysians might not have a choice but to sell durians at a cheaper price too.
“It is a win-win situation,” Wong said, with several others agreeing with his statement.
Reader SK Wong noted that such competition is good news for Malaysians. “We will get to eat good durian at a fair price again.”
Vincent Choo expressed hope that Limbert and Hickson would be successful, adding that durians are currently overpriced.
“Let there be more durian so that our God-given right to eat it will not be exploited,” he added.
Another reader, Eric Cheng, said weather conditions in Australia would produce “different types of durian”, and it might not be as good.
Reader Chooi Tee Ang joked that Malaysia might one day import durian from Australia.
The durian season has arrived in Malaysia, starting with Penang in May, and Johor in June or July, before it extends to Perak and Pahang in early July or early August.