“I’m sorry for this delayed response,” I write for the upteenth time to my emails. I feel like I’ve been running late all year. I arrived in Penang late, finished some projects late, put up blog posts late, and am announcing the Malaysia Durian Tours late. I’m sorry to tell you that the 2017 Penang Durian Season is also late.
Me and the durian season, we’re apparently in sync.
But at last, the roads and walkways are littered with falling durian flowers. The air is filled with that strange sweet, curious odor of coming durians. The trees are filled with heavy blooms. On my table, I have a bouquet of fallen flowers I picked up on a run, the stem shining gold under the creamy petals.
So now we can talk about what’s going to happen this upcoming Penang Durian Season.
Watch This Video Before Buying Plane Tickets to Penang
Deets on the Durian Situation in 2017
The old folks are grumbling about climate change, but so far in my experience of durian seasons (this is my 6th one) every year has been just a bit different.
Here’s what’s been going on this year and what you can expect this summer:
It’s been raining. As I’m writing this post, it’s overcast and still. To the north, a storm is brewing and the horizon is turning dark. I think it will rain soon. Lucky for me, but not so great for the durian flowers.
Excess rain effects durian production in two ways:
- Durian trees expect at least 2 weeks of drought, or dry weather, in order to produce flowers. An extended rainy season delays flowering (like this year).
- Excess rain and wind knocks off durian flowers before they’ve had a chance to be properly pollinated, reducing the number of baby durian fruits successfully created.
The durian season is late. That’s why the durian season is late. Because of the prolonged rainy season, the durians flowered late. Last year, we ate the first durian of 2016 on April 26th. That’s only two weeks from now, and while there are a few tiny durians on the trees, most trees are still in gorgeous full bloom and won’t be dropping any fruits until the end of June.
There will be less durian than last year. The rain is also the reason that there will be fewer durians than last year. Some farmers are reporting dire numbers — like 5% of a “good” crop — but most think it will be around 30% of a “good” crop. Since last year was considered a “bad” crop, I feel like things will be okay.
Durians are more expensive every year. Partly it’s hype, and partly it’s the weather situation. Just be prepared to pay a bit more for good quality fruits, and keep your fingers crossed that next year will be a durian flood.
The durian season will be short. Compared to last year’s four-month durian season, this year will feel comparatively brief. Most farmers think their trees will drop for only 4 to 6 weeks this year, so pay attention to the information below when planning your trip.
When To Come to Penang in 2017
The peak durian season this year will be from the end of June to the beginning of August, with two minor “humps” or times of abundance at the end of June and the end of July.
Where to go in 2017 Penang Durian Season
To get a sense of how everyone on the island was doing with the season, I went ahead and called a lot of the farms I know and recommend to get their estimation of the durian season.
Friendly Home Durian Farm End of May and early June
Green Acres End of June and first two weeks of July
Eng Hoe’s Durian Stall in Batu Ferringhi End of June through end of July
Bao Sheng Durian Farm End of June through Early August
Durian House July
Mr. Hoe on Chulia Street (Across from 7-11) His farm is actually not far from Bao Sheng. End of June and July.
Stonehouse Durian (Rumah Batu) end of June through first week of August
Soon Huat July and August
Kampung Ku July and August
Freedom Eco-Farms End of July and August
Let Me Show You Penang
If you have any questions or would like to come on Durian Tour with me, send me an email to [email protected]
Or if you’re coming to Penang/Malaysia and wanna say Hi! make sure to send me an email or find me on Instagram so we can connect!
Wynn says
Hi Lindsay,
Just wonder if we can get Musang King Durian fruit in January and March’s time. We are cruising with a one day stopover in Panang in January. Would there be any good quality Durian available at that time? Thanks Lindsay! And can you also tell me how much it costs for a durian trip? We can plan for a separate trip after the cruise. Thanks Lindsay!
Wynn
[email protected] says
Hi Wynn,
Musang King is not a Penang variety, so you should NEVER go there looking for it! Such a beginner move! Instead appreciate the Penang varieties.
Instead, go to Pahang or Johor for Musang King. Yes, they will have durians there at that time. If you want to contact me about creating a personalized durian itinerary or private tour, please email to durianyearATgmail.com. Thanks!
Joanne says
We are visiting Penang in mid-Dec. Any chance of durians around that time?
diana says
What is the whole package cost inclusive of everything for 2-4pax to join the durian tour
Thanks
Rick H says
Why have you now deleted my email about buying & freezing durian in Penang? I’m sure other durian lovers would have found it interesting.
A reply would be appreciated.
[email protected] says
Hi Rick, I haven’t deleted any comments, don’t worry!
Rick H says
My apologies!. I looked at the end, not the beginning.
Rick H says
I posted a comment but it did not show/wasn’t approved.
Rick H says
Hi Lindsay.
I emailed you when I was staying in Balik Pulau, Penang about visiting my house. Last season I was buying about 25kg of organic durian per day, filleting them & packing 300gm into small freezer bags in my chest freezer. My net cost was around Rm10/kg. I was buying ‘damaged’ durian (already opening or with a wormhole) direct from a farmer for Rm1-1.50/kg. Plus 43 free, excellent quality, large durian dropped into my garden from the neighbouring farmer’s trees. The frozen packets thaw out perfectly in a bowl of water, not losing taste or texture. I was eating them daily until I moved permanently to TukTuk, Sumatra end of December. The local durians here Jan-Mar were disappointing… very thin-fleshed & mediocre tasting for Rp10 000/kg. I was only getting 10-11% net flesh. Still, the good variety of cheap (mostly Rp10 000/kg) local fruit here makes it easy to be a 811 raw vegan.
weelie says
I am planing to vist Penang for durians in June where can i get to buy Black thorn which i have read so much about it. It say somewhere in Nebong tebal area..
[email protected] says
Hi Weelie,
There are a number of farms that grow Black Thorn on Penang Island and also Penang Mainland. The important thing with Black Thorn is that you eat the ones from the old tree, as the young tree ones are not impressive at all in flavor. Right now because it is such a new clone there are just a few farms around that have the old tree ones.
I suggest Stonehouse Durian Farm, 668 Durian in Mertajam (post here), or to the original source himself, Mr. Leong (post here). There is also an annual Festival in Jawi (post here) where you can get good ones.
Russell says
Hi Lindsey,
I’m a fellow durian lover and would like to travel to Penang for holidays. My only problem is my partner and i have holidays around early june this year, and would likely miss most of the durian season in the list of your recommended durian farms. I would like to know if there are any farms i could go to in early june that would provide good durian experiences during those weeks
[email protected] says
Hi Russel,
Send me an email to durianyearATgmail.com and I’ll recommend some more places for you to durian hunt.
Cheers, Lindsay
zamri says
OMG, you are truly a Durian Professor. Able to tabulate the graph season …
Catherine says
Hi Lindsey, two of us are interested in the Malaysian Durian Tour 2017, let us know the packages costs and when bookings are? thx.
[email protected] says
Hi Catherine, we have communicated via email 🙂
Craig Hepworth says
Wow, this is an amazing assessment of the durian situation! Such a great informational resource you provide.
Question: how many months does it take for a durian flower to become a ripe durian fruit?
[email protected] says
Hi Craig! Thanks for commenting on my blog post! I love that. It takes 90 days to 140 days, depending on the variety.