Durian prices up as harvest peak ends

Fruit stall 717 Trading brings in about 50 baskets of durians a day, down from 200 during the peak of the harvest season.
Fruit stall 717 Trading brings in about 50 baskets of durians a day, down from 200 during the peak of the harvest season. ST PHOTO: MARCUS TAN

The durian harvest peak has ended and prices have gone up again.

A popular variety like Mao Shan Wang (Musang King), which sold for as little as $12 per kg earlier this month, now costs at least $16 a kg.

Sellers said the supply of the fruit, mainly from Malaysia, has fallen compared with earlier this month, when there was a bumper crop. Heavier rainfall in May and June in Malaysia had led to more supply and a drop in prices then.

"Last week, I'd receive eight to 10 baskets of Mao Shan Wang a day. Now, it's about five to six baskets," said Mr Alvin Teo, 30, owner of Durian 36 in Geylang Road.

A kilogram of Mao Shan Wang costs $18 at his stall, up from $15 to $16 earlier this month. Prices are expected to remain stable until the end of next month, he added.

Fruit stall 717 Trading now brings in about 50 baskets of durians a day, down from 200 during the peak season. A kilogram of Mao Shan Wang costs $16 to $22, up from $12 to $16 earlier this month.

Demand for the fruit, however, remains strong. At Delight Fruit in Sims Avenue, its durians are usually sold out on weekend nights, said Mr Peter Saw, 36, a seller there.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 30, 2016, with the headline Durian prices up as harvest peak ends. Subscribe