Abundant Harvest in Malaysia Leads to Unprecedented Low Prices for Durian Lovers
Singapore durian prices have hit their lowest levels in years following a bountiful harvest, largely attributed to favorable weather conditions in Malaysia. This year, the crops in Johor and Pahang reached harvest readiness simultaneously, resulting in an abundant supply of durians.
As expected, the increase in supply has led to a drop in prices. For enthusiastic durian fans, there’s even better news: prices are anticipated to decrease further by mid-month and remain low through February, coinciding with the end of the holiday season.
Currently, the popular Musang King variety, typically priced between S$16 and S$21 per kilogram, is now available for as little as S$10 per kilogram. “I get the goods at a low price, so the selling price is relatively cheap. In the past, the cheapest price was S$12 per kg. This time, S$10 per kg is really low,” one seller shared with Mothership. In fact, for slightly lower-quality Musang King, S$10 can even buy a whole fruit. By mid-December, it’s possible that a kilo of Musang King could be priced as low as S$5.
This price drop allows more people to indulge in the aromatic and flavorful fruit during their festive celebrations. Earlier this June, due to another plentiful harvest in Malaysia, Singapore durian prices dipped to as low as S$7 per kilogram in some areas, with reports of merchants even giving durians away for free. At that time, Musang King was available for S$12.
The Musang King, also known as Mao Shan Wang, is highly sought after in Singapore for its complex flavor profile, which combines creamy, sweet, and slightly bitter notes. “Our best seller is the Mao Shan Wang. We’re selling it for S$12 per kg. It’s usually S$18, and sometimes it can even go above S$20,” said Mr. Tan Wee Siang, the operator of durian stall Wang Sheng Li 95 in Bishan. He also mentioned offering incentives for customers, saying, “For the Black Gold type, it’s S$18 per kg. Buy five, get one free.”
