Durian Season Returns With Cheap Deals And Traders’ Creative Flair

SEREMBAN, July 11 (Bernama) -- Durian season is back, turning stalls and farmers’ markets into vibrant spots as traders offer fresh durian at cheap prices and attract customers with their creative flair and antics.

The ‘king of fruits’ continues to draw crowds, with traders vying to offer value-for-money packages to satisfy durian enthusiasts.

The ‘DJ Durian’ stall in Taman Ampangan, run by 26-year-old Riezlan Rizal, is offering two tempting deals, a RM30-per-person buffet and a 10-kilogramme platter priced from RM100 to RM200, featuring popular varieties like Durian Kahwin, D24 and Udang Merah.

“This platter set also includes Musang King, depending on availability, I have been in business for five years. The buffet deal is always a hit because it’s cheap and value for money.

“We’ve even had a customer come all the way from Johor, and we also offer Lalamove delivery for online orders,” Riezlan told Bernama here today.

According to Riezlan, gross sales at his stall could reach RM20,000 a day, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Leon Tan, 52, a fruit trader in Rasah, offers durian kampung at RM8 per kilogramme and a mini basket of mixed durian for RM10.

Tan, who has been in business for almost six years, said demand for the fruit was currently soaring following a bumper harvest this season, which typically runs from June to September, depending on weather conditions.

“Now is the season of the local fruit fiesta, so we’re pausing the sale of imported fruits and focusing on selling durian and mangosteen, which are currently in high demand.

“We can see almost every trader is selling at lower prices, so customers have many choices and can enjoy greater savings,” said the trader, who also sells mangosteen, pineapple and banana.

The Sales and Services Tax (SST) exemption on local fruits is also giving a boost to the hawker trade.

Another trader, Lim Siew, 48, said business at her shop remained stable and that the prices of fruits had not changed.

"Prices for both local and imported fruits at my shop have stayed the same. We’re in the middle of the fruit season now, so many local favourites are being sold at lower prices,” said Lim, who has been in business for almost 10 years.

Masita Baba, 64, said she regularly stocked up on fruits such as bananas, oranges, apples and dragon fruits for her family and had not noticed any major change in prices since the expanded SST came into effect.

--BERNAMA