Durian season is upon Penang once again, and traders across the island are setting up stalls in anticipation of the annual rush of fruit lovers. Despite the ongoing global fuel crisis linked to conflict in West Asia, prices for the revered thorny fruit have not risen from last year’s levels.
Mohamad Shawalmin Md. Sofi, a young trader in his 20s who recently opened a stall near Bukit Ayun, said he and his friend began operations just a few days ago, sourcing their stock from Sungai Pinang in Balik Pulau.
“Durians from Sungai Pinang are usually the earliest to arrive every season compared to other areas. That’s why we are able to start our business slightly earlier than some other places,” he told Buletin Mutiara.
On pricing, he said there has so far been no significant increase despite the global fuel crisis.
“At the moment, prices are still similar to last year. If there is any increase, I expect it to be only slight, but we will have to see how the overall season develops, which is expected to end in July,” he said.
Phuong Nga, caretaker of Happy Durian in her 40s, who recently began operating along Jalan Tun Dr Awang, said her stall offers a wide range of durians from kampung varieties to premium-grade fruits at reasonable prices.
“We offer various types of durians, from village-grown fruits to premium quality selections at affordable prices,” she said, adding that the durians were sourced from an orchard in Balik Pulau.
Johan Abu Bakar, owner of JOMI Durian, noted that weather conditions have also affected yields this season, especially since most of the trees in his orchard are between 30 and over 50 years old.
“To ensure better yields, I use special fertiliser to encourage flowering and improve the quality of the durians produced,” he said.
Johan, who actively markets durians through social media platforms, said he will start his business at Anjung Indah shortly. He added that even before opening, customers have already been asking about the fruit, describing the season as one that transforms Balik Pulau into a festive hotspot with vehicles streaming into the area in search of the best offerings.
Balik Pulau assemblyman Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said several agencies are preparing for the annual influx of visitors during durian season, which has arrived slightly earlier this year. He described the early season as a blessing for durian growers and confirmed that preparations are underway to ensure visitors have a good experience and orchard owners benefit fully.
Source: BusinessToday
