The durian harvest peak has ended and prices have gone up again in Singapore. A popular variety like Mao Shan Wang (Musang King), which sold for as little as $12 per kg earlier this month, now costs at least $16 a kg.
Sellers said the supply of the fruit, mainly from Malaysia, has fallen compared with earlier this month, when there was a bumper crop. Heavier rainfall in May and June in Malaysia had led to a greater supply and a drop in prices at that time.
"Last week, I received eight to 10 baskets of Mao Shan Wang a day. Now, it's about five to six baskets," said Mr Alvin Teo, 30, owner of Durian 36.
A kilogram of Mao Shan Wang costs $18 at his stall, up from $15 to $16 earlier this month. Prices are expected to remain stable until the end of next month, he added.
Fruit stall 717 Trading now brings in about 50 baskets of durians a day, down from 200 during the peak season. A kilogram of Mao Shan Wang costs $16 to $22, up from $12 to $16 earlier this month.
Demand for the fruit, however, remains strong. At Delight Fruit in Sims Avenue, its durians are usually sold out on weekend nights, said Mr Peter Saw, 36, a seller there.
