Malaysian Durian Farmers Face Losses as Musang King Prices Halve to $8.6 a Kilogram
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
Malaysian Durian Farmers Face Losses as Musang King Prices Halve to $8.6 a Kilogram
2 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
Summary
$8.6 per kilogram for Grade A Musang King in early July was about half last year’s level, leaving some Malaysian growers expecting losses despite strong Chinese demand.
33-35C heat, erratic rainfall and repeated pollination failures have cut yields and quality, while fuel and fertilizer costs climbed further because of the Iran war.
92,100 hectares of durian orchards and more trees reaching maturity have added to oversupply in Malaysia, pushing prices down even as farmers spend more on watering, fertilizing and pest control.
China imported 1.87 million tonnes of fresh durians worth $7.5 billion in 2025, but Malaysia still trails Thailand and Vietnam in that market while betting on premium naturally ripened fruit.
0.24C per decade warming in Peninsular Malaysia since 1969 is driving some growers toward reservoirs, sensors and highland orchards as they try to protect yields and fruit quality.