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The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Time to feast on durians
Look at those beauties!: Johan serving Alawiyah Zainol a variety of durians at his stall in Balik Pulau, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. BALIK PULAU: In stock market terms, it's a bear market for durians — and prices are dropping. For durian lovers, it appears to be the ideal time to 'invest' and indulge as orchards here are reporting a glut. 'There is an abundant supply of Musang King and Black Thorn varieties this season, especially from orchards in Balik Pulau. They are more affordable compared to previous weeks,' said durian seller Johan Abu Bakar. He said that grade 'A' Musang King durians only cost about RM60 per kg now, down from RM80 normally. The Black Thorn variety is available at RM75 per kg, much lower than the eye-watering RM120 before. Johan, 41, said premium varieties are abundantly available here as the season reaches the halfway mark. A check at several durian stalls here found that prices for Musang King and Black Thorn durians have dropped by about 30%. Johan said that other durian varieties have also become much less expensive. Among them are the Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri durians, with prices ranging from RM25 to RM40 per kg. Durian seller Rushisham Md Zin, 43, said the drop in prices for premium varieties was partly due to the fruit being in season in other states as well. 'Supply from Johor, Pahang, Melaka and Perak has reached Penang. So, naturally, the prices of Balik Pulau durians will come down,' he said. Penang Fruit Farmers Association president Kie Kim Hwa confirmed that durian prices have dropped significantly as the fruit season is at its peak. 'There's just so many fruits in the market right now.' Kie said that now was the best time for durian lovers to indulge in the King of Fruits, which are in abundance with 'prices cheaper everywhere'. He explained that durian sellers need to clear their stock fast or risk losing money. 'The season is expected to last until the end of the month.'
The Star
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Durians prove to be a Mega big hit
Ready to eat: Stall owner Wong Chow Jeng (left) showing the best Black Thorn and Ang Hae durians from Balik Pulau to Chinese tourist Peng Xuan Xuan outside the Gurney Bay Hotel in George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Durians are a big hit in the ongoing Malaysia Mega Sales Campaign 2025, so much so that hotels are partnering with farmers to offer special stay packages. These packages can include special room rates, 50% discounts on durian buffets and exclusive visits to durian farms. Gurney Bay general manager Benny Chung said the hotel has partnered with the Penang Fruit Farmers Association to offer a three-day-two-night stay package that includes a free one-hour durian buffet. He said the buffet will be from 11am to 11pm at a stall outside the hotel in Gurney Drive and features the popular Musang King, Black Thorn and Red Prawn varieties. 'This is the first time we are promoting such a package, and the response has been very good,' said Chung. Cititel is offering a similar promotion, where guests can enjoy a two-hour 'all-you-can-eat' durian buffet. 'The timing is just right. The durian season is here and the mega sale campaign helps draw more interest,' said the hotel's sales director Quah Lin Lin. Organised by Tourism Malaysia and Mastercard, the mega sales event is part of the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026. It features over 100 partners and more than 150 activities across sectors like retail, wellness, hospitality and travel. Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said hotels were urged to join the sales campaign. 'It is a good opportunity to tie tourism products like durians with promotional efforts,' he said. Tour operator George Ong from 88Holidays said that more bookings were being received from hotels to take guests to durian farms. Separately, Northern Region Tourism Malaysia Penang director Abdul Hadi Che Man said 11 malls were taking part in this year's mega sales campaign, which began on June 20 and will go on until July 31. 'These malls have been consistent participants since 2011. The campaign gives businesses a chance to push for a better second quarter sales performance,' he said. Kompleks Bukit Jambul general manager Crystal Wong said 54 outlets in the mall were taking part in the campaign. 'Weekends have been busy with shoppers looking for good deals. Our outlets are recording higher sales,' she said. Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall general manager Peter Chan said the campaign came at an opportune time for the retail market.
