BANGI — A surge in local production has sent durian prices tumbling across Malaysia, with some vendors now selling regular fruits for as little as RM0.50 each as growers rush to clear an oversupply that threatens spoilage.
Premium varieties have not been spared: Musang King is being offered at around RM6 per kilogram, while 101 and Red Prawn types are going for about RM2 per fruit in many markets. Vendors have rolled out aggressive promotions to move stock quickly, including pay-by-the-fruit bags and RM100 gunny-sack deals that let customers pack as many durians as they can.
Expansion of domestic durian cultivation, combined with tighter export opportunities in some overseas markets, has left farms and stalls with far more fruit than can be consumed or stored. Because durians are highly perishable, sellers say steep discounts are the only viable option to avoid total losses.
The price collapse is a windfall for consumers but a squeeze for growers, many of whom face significant financial strain if they cannot sell their harvests before they spoil. Vendors and farmers say the situation reflects a broader market glut and warn that without better export channels or storage solutions, similar price shocks could recur.