Varieties like D604, Lipan and Musang King have appeared at stalls along the streets in Penang, a Malaysian state known for durians.
Ang Hock Leng, a durian seller who runs a stall in Penang’s George Town, said the drier weather this year has made the fruits creamier and more flavorful despite it still being early in the season.
“Many are unaware of the season starting early, so most of them stop by only after noticing our stall,” Ang told Malaysian newspaper The Star.
Tan, who operates another durian stall in George Town, said the current supply is tight, so prices have risen by around 20%.
D604, an early-season hybrid known for its sweet and slightly nutty taste, is currently sold at RM20-38 (US$5.1-9.6) per kilogram, he said.
Musang King, meanwhile, is priced based on grade and size, with prices ranging from RM45 to RM65 per kilo.
Tan said higher prices have not stopped durian fans from enjoying the fruit.
“To them, it is a plus point to be able to have durians as the season usually does not start until mid-April, plus the fruits have a stronger taste,” he said. “It is a bonus for them, and they do not mind the price.”
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Durians are displayed at a stall in Jalan Alor Night Market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 17, 2026. Photo by Reuters |
Penang’s durian orchards are known to produce some of Malaysia’s best-loved durians. Last year, the main harvest in the state was disrupted by rain and strong winds during the flowering stage, which delayed the season, shortened its duration and reduced yields, as reported by Malay Mail.
Even so, once the season reached its peak later in the year, the state still drew large crowds to popular durian spots such as Balik Pulau, Penang Hill, Padang Kota and Batu Ferringhi.
This year, however, Ang said the season is expected to last longer, with prices likely to ease as output rises.
“We expect it to be cheaper from June onwards as this year is considered a bumper yield,” he said.
Though the durian season has started in Malaysia, supply has not picked up in Singapore, which sources a large share of its durians from its northern neighbor, as reported by AsiaOne.
Well-known sellers in the city-state, such as 99 Old Trees Durian, Fruit Monkey Durian and Combat Durian, are currently offering limited quantities, with more expected in early May.
