Durian lovers will have to pay more as the prices for the fruit are expected to be at least 30% higher this year due to lower produce and increasing fertilizer costs. Durian expert Lim Chin Khee, who is a consultant for the industry, said rainy weather from the end of March to April in various parts of the country had led to the durian trees producing less than half of their yield last year.
“When it rains, the leaves start to flush, causing a competition in nutrients for development between fruits and flowers. It takes between 90 and 100 days from anthesis (the flowering of the buds) to the maturity of durian fruits. However, due to the severe weather, it is estimated that durian trees are producing only 30% of last year’s amount,” he said.
With lower produce and supply, prices, said Lim, were expected to be higher.
Source: themalaysianinsight.com