Durian Price Crash: From Premium Fruit to Free Giveaways
Wednesday, 2026/07/01180 words3 minutes1750 reads
For days, long lines have formed outside fruit stalls in Singapore and Malaysia. Customers are waiting for free durians or huge discounts on the popular Asian fruit. One Singapore stall gives away two durians per customer daily, totaling about 600kg.
This unusual generosity comes from a massive oversupply in Malaysia, which typically produces 550,000 tonnes of durians annually. Prices have crashed dramatically. Farmer Lu Yuee Thing used to sell his premium Musang King durians for 13.50 ringgit in December. Now he can only get half that price.
The problem started a decade ago when Chinese demand for durians exploded. Malaysian farmers rushed to plant durian trees, cutting down rubber trees and oil palms. Many chose the Musang King variety, which Chinese consumers call the "Hermès of durians." These trees have now matured simultaneously, flooding the market with fruit.
While consumers celebrate with daily durian feasts, farmers are struggling. Many face poor harvests due to unfavorable weather, making the price crash even more painful. The Malaysian government has stepped in to help small farmers by purchasing durians at a base price.
