Mohamad Hakim Fahmi Awang, 40, said this was the best way to face the ongoing movement control order (MCO), which made it difficult for customers to go out to get their “fix” of the King of Fruits.

“I started the business last year. At first it was quite difficult to get customers because they doubted the quality of durian flesh sold in containers and thought it would not be as fresh as the whole fruit, skin and all.

“However, within a week, customers started praising (the quality) and shared their views on social media,” he said when met by reporters at his shop in Kampung Ladang here.

Hakim said the majority of his customers were those who saw his postings on Facebook, adding that he had been able to sell around 500kg of durian every day.

Among the types of durian that are the choice of his customers are Red Prawn, D29, Musang King, and IOI, which are priced at RM70-RM130 per kg, depending on the grade.

“I place more importance on the quality of the fruit than quantity. Fruits that are not good will be separated and sold at a price of around RM20 to RM30 per kg to be made into ‘tempoyak’ (an appetiser),” he said.

He also allows his customers to return the durians they buy if they are found to be bad and will replace them.

Apart from selling durians from his shop, he makes the deliveries by using runners to his customers, even as far away as Hulu Terengganu, Marang and Kuala Nerus.

“Right now, the demand for durians sold without skins is increasing and recently I was quite excited when I found out that one of my customers is the Sultanah of Terengganu, Sultanah Nur Zahirah.

“I only found out about it when I was contacted by her personal assistant who asked about the stocks of fresh durians being sold (from my shop),” he added.