Tupai King is commanding RM90-120 per kilogram in Pahang, a major durian-producing state, The Star reported, citing another local media outlet.
Demand has remained strong despite the relatively high price, with the season’s first harvest already sold out.
Chin Wai Kian, a 46-year-old durian orchard owner in Kampung Rengai, said the only Tupai King tree currently bearing fruit on his farm took a decade to produce its first harvest.
“The tree started dropping its fruits this week, producing about 50 durians, and some had already been reserved by my regular customers,” he told Cosmos!. “This is the tree’s first harvest this year. Although I have cloned more than 100 Tupai King trees, only the original tree has started bearing fruit, while the rest are still growing.”
In Penang, another state famous for durians, Tupai King is similarly selling for RM80-120 per kilogram at Cap Tupai, a shop specializing in the variety, according to its social media post.
Meanwhile, a durian oversupply from overlapping harvests in major producing states has pushed down prices of other varieties, including the premium Musang King and Black Thorn.
|
A Tupai King durian. Photo from Cap Tupai durian shop’s Facebook |
Musang King prices, in particular, have dropped by 90% to as low as RM9 per kilogram, though industry experts told local media that Grade A and AB fruits meeting export standards are still selling for RM30-40 per kilogram.
Tupai King was recognized as Malaysia’s most expensive local durian variety by national news agency Named last May when the fruit was priced at up to RM130 per kilogram.
The variety stands out for its slim, oval-shaped fruit and a slightly bruised, greenish flesh even when freshly opened, according to Channel News Asia.
Its flavor profile is described as rich and creamy, with a bittersweet taste, nutty hints, a slight fermented note and an alcoholic aftertaste.
It was discovered two decades ago by Chew Chee Wan, a farmer in Penang who named it based on his shop Cap Tupai and eventually registered it with the Agriculture Department in 2021. Its supply is limited as cultivation has only picked up in recent years along with its popularity.
