The price of durian reported reach to RM100 per kg
Durian season comes again and people in Malaysia are extremely displaying their craving towards that fruit.
Every day, we can see a lot of people share about durian on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tik Tok. They talk about their fondness towards the fruit and they share about the types they like as well. Suddenly, they cry about the expensive price!
Indeed, durian is not a cheap fruit like banana or papaya. It can be considered as a premium item because of the price hike almost every year no matter in what situation. Only those who own durian orchards can enjoy the taste of the fruits without worrying about the price hike.
Utusan Malaysia reports, the price of durian can reach RM100 per kilogram (kg) during this season. Among the high-priced types is Hor Lor which is sold around RM38 to RM40 per kg, Musang King (RM65-RM75), and Black Thorn (RM75-RM100).
Even in Covid-19, the price maintains expensive as lavish as its name which is always referred to as the king of fruits. Why is this happening? We do not import, even we produce our own durian. But the price is still expensive like we never yielded or owned even an acre of durian orchid.
According to Plantation International, Malaysia produces around 302 million kilograms (kg) durian in 2016 and export them only five percent. Berita Harian reports the production of the fruit is increasing every year and expected to hit the highest quantity at 443 million kg in 2030, compared to 387 million kg in 2019.
However, the price of durian is still unreasonable. Based on the numbers given, durian production should be enough for local consumption. By right, it should be affordable for the people of our country. But demand and supply of durian fail to stipulate the right price for us to have its delicacy.
Lack of supply
Johor, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu are prominent durian producer in Malaysia.
Harian Metro reports, this situation is driven by a lack of local supply as durian yielded according to season. For this time being, the production of the fruits only yielded from Johor while other prominent durian producers state like Pahang, Perak, Terengganu, and Kelantan still waiting for them. Besides, other factors like transportation cost, permits, and business licenses also influence the price of durian.
According to Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), they cannot control the price of durian, primarily Musang King because the fruit not in price control list items. On the other hand, the authority only can ensure the seller puts the price tag according to the grade of fruit, tell Astro Awani.
Since the price of durian become an issue recently, rumor has been circulated alleging that the price surge caused by demand from China. It is likely true because China is a major importer of our durian since 2010 with export reached 7.7 million kg, valued at about RM278 million last year. Unfortunately, shortage of supply has caused the price of durian surge excessively in the country.
Fresh Plaza claims, our durian becomes a choice among Chinese in the Mainland because it offers superior quality compared to durian from Thailand. However, it is nothing to do with our local market as durian production increases steadily every year, but the irresponsible seller has exploited the situation to hike the price.
Some of them claim China has purchased our durian immensely, including the cheapest one which is ‘durian kampung’. In fact, China only imports Musang King that their people considered as premium items because of its notable taste.
Only just recently they let another rare type of our durian which is known as Black Thorn to enter their country to vie with Musang King. Common types like D168 (IOI), Udang Merah, D101, D13, D24, and others supposedly circulate massively in the local market at affordable prices.
Crazy about durian
Malaysian per capita consumed estimated at around 11kg durian in 2016.
Then, why durian is still pricey today though the production of the fruits reported increasing every year? It is because Malaysian are crazy about durian without realizing that they are the largest consumer of their own product. Their craziness towards durian has risen the demand locally because most of them willing to pay huge amounts of money to get a taste of that fruit.
According to Plantation International, Malaysian per capita consumed an estimated 11kg durian in 2016. The amount was the highest in the world compared to any other nation that shows similar affection towards durian.
Meanwhile, the Chinese in Mainland consumed only 0.21kg per capita even the country is the world’s number one durian importer. As the world’s number one durian exporter, Thailand confirmed that their people only consumed 1.4kg durian per capita.
Perhaps, durian sold at an expensive price because it is the king of fruits. As a king and supreme leader to other fruits, it deserves to have that kind of luxurious treatment, just like a real king living a lavish lifestyle. Therefore, the price keeps on rising every year.
