Durian Runtuh: Could Malaysia's durian season mean a windfall for Singapore?

By Liani MK

Since May, Tourism Malaysia has been busy promoting the King of Fruits via its Durian Tourism 2023 campaign.

A continuation of 2022's well-received initiative, the government agency has strived to make things even bigger this year, with more states roped in for the campaign and a host of activities promoted, from durian picking and buffets to travel packages.

The prime objective of all this is to attract more foreign tourists, for them to sample Malaysia's delectable durians and, consequently, contribute to the nation's economy.

Yet, several issues have prompted concern among industry players, not least this year's bumper harvest.

Lower prices, fewer Singaporean tourists?

For context, Malaysia exported just 1,880 metric tonnes of durians in 2022, a 38 per cent drop from 2021, when 4,746 metric tonnes were shipped.

But figures appear to be back up this year thanks to plentiful supply. And that has resulted in many outside the country getting to indulge in cheaper-than-usual durians, causing some worry about whether or not the situation could affect tourist arrivals, especially from neighbouring Singapore.

Singaporeans make up a large number of those who regularly board buses and cars and head to Malaysia to sample the thorny treasure. As such, the concern had been that if they can already get dirt-cheap durians at home, they might not necessarily want to take a durian tour to Malaysia.

Local industry stakeholders, however, say that that worry is unfounded.

Indeed, Zhong Cheng Durian Plantation plantation owner Han Sing Keng, who has been managing operations at his family farm in Johor for over 15 years, believes that the consistently high demand for Malaysian durians is unlikely to alter things very much.

"The market is huge. Singaporeans drive in and enjoy the durians on my farm because they like the surrounding environment," he said.

Han also added that his farm offers freshly picked durians, and that certain Singaporean visitors have been known to return up to six times in a season.

Despite that, he noted that one of the main concerns for small farms like his is that they are not always able to fulfil orders as yields are inconsistent. Notwithstanding the earlier-mentioned report of a surplus of fruit this year, Han said, sometimes, he only manages to harvest about 200kg a day.

This is why farmers like Han believe that more land should be allocated for durian farming, and that more plantations could better fulfil customers' demand for durian in Malaysia.

But would the opening of more farms make much of a difference, considering how climate change and phenomena like El Nino and La Nina continue to pose a threat to Malaysian agriculture, including durian?

Unpredictable weather hurting quality of durians in Malaysia

For instance, Han said that his farm's durian harvest has already been affected by heavy rains this year, and the yield is 30 per cent to 40 per cent lower than usual.

The plantation owner added that the unpredictable weather has even worsened durian quality.

Leron Yee, the co-founder of durian exporter DKing, concurs with Han about how the weather can wreak havoc on crops. He said, however, that his company has tried to adapt by introducing durian products and frozen alternatives, among other things.

"We have been in this industry for 15 years and these things can happen," Yee acknowledged. "This is agriculture. It is based on acts of God, and the climate. So we have (tried to) prepare for (eventualities)."

That being said, the DKing-hosted Malaysia International Durian and Cultural Fest 2023, with 3,000 participants already signed up and which was expected to draw even more durian enthusiasts from Malaysia and abroad, has had to be postponed from July to September.

Malaysia-based durian tour organiser Lindsay Gasik agrees that climate change is more of a worry than anything else.

"The season has been really difficult this year," said Gasik, who runs durian tours under her company, Year of the Durian. "(And) to be honest it's exhausting and also expensive."

"The quality is not there, so we have to overbuy," she said, adding that her company, like other tour operators, risks wasting excess durian.

Gasik suggests a diverse range of durian varieties with different maturation rates as a potential solution for a more stable supply.

She is concerned too about the use of herbicides, which she said affects the hardiness of durian farms, making them more vulnerable to weather changes.

DKing's Yee, meanwhile, emphasises the importance of government support for research and development to counter the effects of changing seasons on durian production.

"We need to understand the current climate and conduct scientific studies on what it takes to produce a durian even to withstand seasons. In short, how to produce good quantity and quality of durian," he said.

"You (also) have to impart knowledge, and enhance the ecosystem by introducing advanced technology and agricultural techniques such as understanding pH levels."

He adds that a robust agricultural sector will contribute to a flourishing tourism industry, significantly benefiting the country's economy.

"I was born in Malaysia, a country that produces premium durian. We have the right conditions to produce the right fruits, and that makes us proud. Durians are also part of our culture. The crops also contribute huge revenue, not just for farmers, but the country's GDP," said Yee.

As such, he believes that all local stakeholders must work together to develop innovative and sustainable practices that safeguard the iconic fruit.

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