ALTHOUGH there were more durians this year, the sale of durians has apparently dropped by about 20% – at least for Seng Durian.
Seng Durian owner Lim Kheng Seng, 63, said his orchard had produced 10% more durians this year as compared to last year.
However, the Covid-19 crisis has prevented durian lovers from dining in at his farm in Balik Pulau.
“We had to sell our durians through Facebook, deliveries, and to wholesalers during the movement control order (MCO) period.
“Our earnings dropped by around 10 to 20% but this is understandable,” he told Buletin Mutiara at his farm today.
Lim said he has a 10-acre orchard in Balik Pulau and has been operating since 1986.
“The best time for durian lovers to savour the King of Fruits in Balik Pulau is from mid May to June.
“Our best seller is the ‘tek kah’ (also known as kaki buluh) variant. The durian has a very unique bitter taste and it is creamy.
“Our supply for this variant can’t meet the demand of our customers,” he said.
There were other variants sold at his farm, namely, ‘Ang Heh’, ‘Hor Lor’, ‘Cheh Phoay’, ‘Raja Kunyit’, ‘Ang Kim Leng’, ‘Capri’ and ‘Susu’.
Penang Health, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Commitee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said she would check with the state National Security Council (MKN) director to clarify whether durian farm operators could provide dine-in services at their farms.
“Dine-ins are not allowed for those selling durians by the road because there are not enough space to practise social distancing. However, if the farm has the space and capability to practise all the required SOPs, it should be allowed to provide dine-in services,” she said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his team, including Dr Norlela, state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Commitee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang visited the farm today to show their concern towards the agriculture industry in Penang.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng