As the durian season in Malaysia concludes, vendors have indicated a shift in the market composition, with a predominance of Thai durians and a minor representation from the Philippines. Lianhe Zaobao reports a scarcity of genuine Mao Shan Wang durians from Malaysia. Durian stalls, particularly along Geylang Road and Sims Avenue, have been observed retailing renowned Malaysian varieties like Mao Shan Wang and Black Thorn at elevated prices. Prices for these "branded" durians have been noted to range from S$32 to S$68 per kg for names such as "Celestial Fruit" and "Love Fruit". In contrast, Thai durians are generally more affordable.
Malaysia experiences two durian seasons annually, with this year's mid-year season spanning from May to late September and the forthcoming season slated for mid-November to mid-February. Despite the seasonal nature, the local durian market operates year-round. Industry insiders have revealed that vendors often import durians from Thailand and the Philippines to meet demand. Thai durians are available from March to end-October, while the Filipino season runs from early October to end-November. The preference in Singapore leans towards Malaysian durians, leading to instances where vendors mislabel the origin of durians to boost sales, exploiting the lesser awareness among tourists.
A visit by a Lianhe Zaobao reporter to durian stalls revealed mixed responses from vendors regarding the origin of their durians. Some denied selling Thai durians, while others admitted to the necessity due to dwindling Malaysian stock. Misrepresentation tactics include claiming non-authentic durians are from renowned Malaysian regions. Additionally, challenges such as reduced off-season supply have led to price increases and reliance on alternative varieties like "Wang Zhong Wang" to mimic the appeal of Mao Shan Wang to consumers.
Source: Mothership