Deputy agriculture and food industry minister Ahmad Hamzah said: “A durian planters association has issued a report that not only prices for Black Thorn and Musang King durians will rise, but also kampung durians as well.”

Prices for the Black Thorn variety are expected to exceed RM100 a kg while Musang King will be priced around RM60 to RM80 a kg, depending on grade, compared to RM30 to RM40 a kg previously.

The price increase was a result of a 50% drop in durian production due to weather conditions.

“We believe that the rainy season at the end of March to April has affected durian pollination, and the number of fruits produced. “We expect this factor will result in a drop of 50% in total production in some states,” he told reporters here today.

Increased fertiliser and labour costs have also affected the production of the King of Fruits.

“So far, Penang and Perak have acknowledged the estimated 50% drop in production,” he said. He said the ministry had also obtained feedback from the Federal Agricultural Marketing Agency (Fama) in Penang and Perak about the estimated price increase in those states.

Ahmad said the ministry did not control the price of durians as this was determined by production and supply.