말레이시아 두리안 농가, 20달러 과일을 절반 가격으로 내려팔다

Imagine spending months caring for a crop, only to discover that nobody wants to buy it. This is the harsh reality facing durian farmers in Malaysia right now.

The "king of fruits" — a spiky tropical favorite known for its strong smell and creamy taste — has always been expensive. A single premium durian once sold for $20 or more. That price tag reflected the hard work and skill required to grow the fruit well. Farmers invested time, water, and careful attention. They expected their harvest to provide good income for their families.

But something unexpected happened. The durian market became flooded with supply. More farmers than ever before planted durian trees, hoping to join a profitable industry. When harvest season arrived, the market had far too much fruit and not enough buyers. Prices began to fall dramatically.

Today, durians that used to sell for $20 now sell for $10 — or less. Some farmers, frustrated by rock-bottom prices, have started giving their durians away entirely. They leave fruit at roadsides or offer it to anyone passing by. Why? Because the cost of picking, packing, and transporting the fruit exceeds what they can earn by selling it. The math simply does not work anymore.

This crisis has forced farmers to think about their future. Some are considering leaving durian farming altogether. Others are exploring new strategies — perhaps selling directly to customers online, or processing durians into different products like paste or candy. A few have started planting other crops alongside durians to reduce their risk.

The durian story teaches us something important about farming and markets. When many producers chase the same opportunity, competition intensifies. Prices drop. And suddenly, a profitable business becomes a losing one. Farmers in Malaysia are learning this lesson the hard way.

Yet there is also hope. Durian demand remains strong in countries like China and Singapore, where the fruit commands premium prices. If Malaysian farmers can develop better export channels or find ways to reduce their costs, they might recover. The challenge now is adapting quickly enough to survive the downturn.

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.