Malaysia's durian harvest surges, offering sweet delight

A bumper harvest has sent a ‘durian tsunami’ through Malaysia, flooding the market with famously smelly ‘king of fruits’ and driving prices sharply down.

Across Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, premium varieties including Musang King, Black Thorn, Red Prawn, D24 and IOI are now selling for under RM20 (US$5) per kilo in some areas. Musang King previously fetched RM60 to RM80 per kilo when supply was tight.

Footage shows stall owner Mohd Nasir loading fresh durians for distribution to Kuala Lumpur.

"It's true. Prices are much cheaper now, and when prices are low, it's easier for people to buy. The public can finally afford to enjoy durian," he said.

"The difference this year compared to last year is that there's a much larger durian harvest in this area. One of the reasons is that orchards which were planted several years ago have now started producing fruit, and their harvest is coming at the same time as the older orchards. That has resulted in a significant oversupply," shared wholesaler Ahmad Kamal Jamaluddin.

The glut has drawn bigger crowds to stalls, giving many Malaysians a rare chance to buy premium durians usually beyond their budget.

Another trader, Khadijah, said freshness remains key: "The durians here are freshly harvested and sold the same day. An oversupply means consumers can easily compare prices and find the best deals."

The Malaysian durian industry is known for its annual price fluctuations, driven by weather patterns, harvest cycles, and export demand. When production peaks in key regions, domestic supply often exceeds demand, resulting in lower retail prices.

Industry experts predict that the current oversupply will persist in the coming weeks before prices gradually stabilise as the harvest season wanes.