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THE Tupai King durian, a premium variety cultivated in Penang, is making waves among durian enthusiasts both locally and abroad, with its price soaring to RM130 per kilogramme—making it the most expensive Malaysian durian currently on the market.
Durian orchard owner Eric Yeap said the Tupai King, identifiable by its greenish-brown skin and egg-shaped body with a rounded base and pointed tip, has grown in popularity in the past two years due to its golden-orange flesh, distinctive bitter-sweet taste, moderate creaminess, and bold aroma.
“Durian Tupai King has been around for five or six years, but it only started gaining recognition and demand from durian fans in the last two years because of its aroma, bitterness, texture, and moderate creaminess,” he said in a phone interview.
“It’s not just attracting local fans but also international buyers from Singapore and China. When they know the durian season has started, some of them even call me specifically to ask about Tupai King.”
Despite growing popularity, Yeap noted that production remains limited since most growers, including himself, only began planting the variety five years ago, with trees starting to bear fruit three years later.
Yeap, who owns seven orchards spanning 132 acres (53.4 hectares) from Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau, has 200 durian trees, including 20 Tupai King trees. He also exports the fruit, especially to Hong Kong, where it commands significantly higher prices.
“I currently have 20 Tupai King trees and plan to plant more because of the strong demand. It already has a loyal customer base, and many durian lovers say its sharp sweet-bitter combination is irresistible. Some buyers from Singapore even come directly to the orchard,” he said.
He expects wider, commercial-scale production of Tupai King within the next three to four years as more growers nationwide begin cultivating the variety.
However, Yeap warned that this year’s overall durian output is likely to drop by up to 30 percent due to frequent rainfall, which causes flowers to fall prematurely. He said this could lead to a price increase, although it remains fair given the high quality of Penang durians—especially those from Balik Pulau, known for their rich texture and distinctive flavour.
“Usually we can harvest up to one tonne of durians a day, but this year the season is slightly delayed and the yield is lower. We also export 20 percent of our produce overseas,” he said.
Yeap’s orchards grow various durian types, from the traditional Kampung variety to premium options such as Musang King, Black Thorn, and Tupai King, sold from RM8 to RM130 per kilogram. - May 7, 2025