2020 Malaysia Durian Season Guide

2020 is turning into a weird and uncertain year. Not just because we have no idea when the Covid-19 Crisis will end, we also have no idea when the 2020 Malaysia Durian Season will end. Buckle up, Durian Lovers, this is going to be a long one!

The D on the 2020 Malaysia Durian Season

Each Region is Having a Different Peak Season.

In 2019, most durian-growing regions of Malaysia had a peak season at the same time, which resulted in a July glut where you could just drive around the whole country sampling the peak season within a 2-week Durian Intensive Vacation.

In 2020, the peaks are spread out among different regions. Penang is peaking in early June, Johor in early July, and Pahang not until August.

The Peak Season is Early in Penang

The Durian Season started in Early April, about 3-4 weeks earlier than usual. Durian farmers cited unusually hot weather, which made their fruits ripen faster than usual. This means that the peak season is also early, with a bumper around the end of May to early June instead of late June to July like normal.

Unfortunately Penang Durian Farmers, who normally depend on day visitors and overnight guests on their farmstays, are going to be hit hardest by the effects of the 2020 Pandemic Lockdown (MCO).

The Peak Season is Like a Month Late in Pahang

Pahang, famous for the early-season variety Musang King, normally has its peak in late June or early July. This year, the state is experiencing a slow trickling start to the durian season in late May, with the peak season pushed back all the way until August!

The Durian Season is Super Super Long

The early season in Penang, the late season in Pahang, and Johor’s peak in the middle means that the durian season in Malaysia is going to feel super long, with a steady supply as long as you’re willing to switch up your regional source when the peak season ends in one location and moves to another.

Actually Nobody Knows for Sure When the 2020 Malaysia Durian Season Will End

As of writing, durian trees are still flowering everywhere in Malaysia — Penang, Pahang, Johor, Sabah, northern Sarawak — everywhere except poor Miri, which is skipping a durian season AGAIN. What gives, Oh Thee Mighty Spirit of durian flowering?

So it’s possible the season will extend beyond September into October or even the normal mini-season in November 🤷

The Weather Has Been PERFECT For Durians

The weather has a funny sense of humor. If you bring an umbrella, it won’t rain. The day you forget it, it pours. And when there are travel restrictions, the weather decides to be just balmy for durians.

The weather has been very hot in the day time, with light rains in the evening that are keeping the trees extremely happy and the durians — well, if we don’t get to Malaysia this year I’m just going to cry.

The Durian Quality Is Excellent in 2020

Durians ripens best during hot, sunny days. This hot weather gives the durian a concentration of flavor and keeps their meat thick and sticky. They even have a longer shelf-life when the weather is dry!

Durian quality is also better when there is MORE durian to choose from. If 10% of durians are magnificent, and 80% are just great, having an excess pile to choose from doubles your chances of getting in to the Magnificent range.

Some Farms are having a bumper crop, some Farms are experiencing season failure.

Most farms in Penang are having a good year — but many are not. The Sang Lee part of Raub is down 40% production. Farmers in Melaka are saying they almost have a crop failure, with trees that failed to flower. In some parts of Perak, farmers are saying they have about 40% of last year’s production.

Yet Sabah is predicting a boom year, as are parts of Pahang and Johor. So it’s not a country-wide bumper crop, but more selective.

Don’t Expect Super Duper Low Prices

The Malaysian media has been predicting super low prices for durian, since thee won’t be foreign tourists dumb enough to buy Musang King for Rm100 per kilo.

But with the spotty bumper season, and a long season spread out among different regions, its likely Durian Farmers in West Malaysia will be able to sell their durians to the local market or Singapore.

Pahang, the Export Capital of Malaysia, will be able to send anything extra to China anyway.

So don’t get your hopes up for super durian bargains in 2020.

Panic Flower-Cutting Might Ruin the Bumper Season in Sabah

Farmers in Sabah are worried a Bumper Season might send prices spiraling into the depths of cheapness.

With a bumper season on the horizon and the promise of a crumbling economy this summer, some farmers are cutting off the durian flowers before they can become mini fruits.

Durian is still considered a luxury item, and without international tourism or export facilities, durian farmers in Sabah will have to depend on a durian-hungry local market that is highly dependent on tourism and facing financial hardship.

Since a bumper crop arrives only about once every three years, these farmers would rather cut their flowers and force their trees to save up energy for a more promising year.

Check Out Tours We Would Normally Be Offering in Malaysia But Can’t Cuz Covid So Come Back Next Year?

Finally, We May Not Get to Visit Durian Farms in 2020

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

On March 18, Malaysia instituted the Movement Control Order to slow the spread of the pandemic. It was essentially Stay At Home Orders — all non essential businesses were closed and any travel, even around one city, was restricted.

Many farmers have reported being unable to visit their farms due to road blocks and getting hassled by the police.

As Durian Season arrives, the Department of Agriculture has issued permits to allow durian growers to sell their durians at specific permitted locations and has set up an online selling platform to help farmers.

Most people are assuming these orders will have lightened by late June or July, in time for said August Bumper Season.

But it’s unclear if and when Durian Farmstays will be able to open and if and when they will be able to receive guests directly to their farms. Or if local tourism will be okay but international guests will not.

Everyone’s assuming by July or August it should be okay? 🤷

Keep scrolling down to see a list of where to buy durians online this May, June, July, August, and September in 2020↓ ↓ ↓

Also, don’t forget to use our *FREE* App to find Durian Farms In Season Now! (Android Coming June, 2020)

Sad 😭not to be able to interact with your favorite durian farmers? Join us online to learn about durian and new farms you might like to order durian from or visit in the future.

• May 8: 8321 Durian (Eric Yeap)
• May 10: Shan Cheng Durian Farm, Balik Pulau
• May 12: 668 Durian
• May 18: Bao Sheng Durian Farm
• May 21: Penang Green Acres
• May 23: Cocos Creek
• May 26: Serene Orchard (Black Thorn)

May

In May the Malaysia durian season is happening almost exclusively in Penang Island. Toward the end of May you can start buying from mainland Penang, Kedah, northern Perak, and a very few places in Pahang. See below for buying guide:

Make sure to join us on Facebook and Instagram for the 31-Day, 31-Penang-Durian-Farms Challenge!

PENANG IN MAY

• 1818 Kun Poh
• 668 Durian
• 8321 Durian Farm
• Ah Chang (Chulia Street) 
• Bao Sheng Durian Farm
• Cap Tupai
• Carpet Hill
• Direct Sale by Steven Chua
• Friendly Home Farm
• Karuna Hill
• Nature Fruit Farm
• Penang Green Acres
• Peng Siew
• Metta Lodge
• Stone House 
• Song Hai 
• Wong Durian House

Learn more about the Durians of Penang

PAHANG IN MAY

• YES! Durian Orchard
• The Durian Shop

June

In June, Penang is reaching its peak season as the rest of the country rouses itself from durian slumber. This is the best time for nearly every durian in Penang, as well as the much sought-after Black Thorn! The season for Black Thorn will peak in late June.

This is also the best month for Melaka’s short’n sweet season, so go gragas while you can!

PENANG IN JUNE

• Ah Leow Black Thorn Durian 
• Bunga Raya (Goh Bro’s)
• Cocos Creek: Make sure not to miss out on their bubbly Durian Kombucha and Durian Pizza!
• Serene Orchard
• Shan Cheng
• Soon Huat 
• Suling Hill
• Titi Teras 
• Uncle Eric in Gurun, Kedah

JOHOR IN JUNE

• Mt. Ophir Durian (Facebook)
• Durian Segamat
• Durian Hub Tangkak (Facebook)
• Uncle Lim’s (Facebook)
• Zhong Cheng (Facebook)

MELAKA IN JUNE

• Malacca Durian Heng (Facebook)
• Eco Do Dem (Facebook)
• Sim Koa Yen (Facebook)
• Also see 12 Malacca Durian Hunting Spots

PAHANG IN JUNE

• Durian Hill
• The Durian Shop
• Raub Durian Orchard
• YES! Orchard (Facebook)

July

PENANG IN JULY

• 668 Durian
• Ah Leow Black Thorn
• Freedom Eco Farm
• JR Mountain Farm Organics
• Penang Green Acres
• Pekan, wild durians at Sungei Sedim
• Nature Fruit Farm
• Serene Orchard Black Thorn
• Shan Cheng
• Song Hai
• Soon Huat
• Uncle Eric in Gurun, Kedah

JOHOR IN JULY

• Mt. Ophir Durian
• Tangkak Durian Agro Hub
• Uncle Lim’s
• Zhong Cheng in Kulai

PAHANG IN JULY

• Bilut Hills
• ECO Valley
• Fook Gor
• Jimmy’s Durian
• Karak Organic Orchard
• Tras Durian Farmstay
• Uncle Ting’s
• YES! Orchard

August

In August Penang begins to wind to a close, although you can still find some of the late season varieties (think D15, Gold Fish, Ganja, etc.) but in Pahang and Sabah the party is just getting started!

Assuming people haven’t pushed the panic button on their flowers.

PENANG IN AUGUST

• Ah Leow Black Thorn
• Freedom Eco Farm
• Nature Fruit Farm
• Song Hai
• Soon Huat

JOHOR IN AUGUST

• Mt. Ophir Durian
• Tangkak Durian Agro Hub
• Uncle Lim’s
• Zhong Cheng in Kulai

PAHANG IN AUGUST

• Bilut Hills
• ECO Valley
• Fook Gor
• Raub Durian Orchard
• Tras Durian Farmstay
• Uncle Ting’s
• YES! Orchard

SABAH IN AUGUST

• Kiulu Durian Farm
• Ah Bing’s
• Sugar Hill Borneo (Facebook)
• Segapon Durian Farm
• Keningau Night Market Guide

Brunei

• Eco Ponies
• Rubi’s Farm
• Ziman’s Farm
• Gadong Night Market

September

PAHANG IN SEPTEMBER

• Fook Gor
• Raub Durian Orchard
• YES! Durian Orchard

LAWAS & LIMBANG IN SEPTEMBER

• Limbang Tamu
• Mr. Lo’s
• Madam Ting’s
• Suluk Haji Lamat Farm

Summing up the 2020 Malaysia Durian Season

We’re in for a long ride, and if we can be patient.

If you’re in the Penang area, eat up in late May and June.

If you’re in KL, maybe wait until late July or August for best prices and quality.

And if you’re currently outside of Malaysia, stay hopeful! 🤞We are currently planning to re-enter Malaysia by July, and let the durian adventures begin!

Bringing Durian to America & Canada 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Since our Durian Travels may be limited this summer, we are thrilled to be able to mail you some of the durians you’re craving!

We’ve started putting together these Durian Tasting Boxes, including 3 regional varieties and stories and information about each type and who grew them. The idea is an interactive, delicious, Stay-At-Home Tour from the comfort of your kitchen counter (or living room, patio, front step, bedroom, shower, no judgment).

As of writing, we are nearly sold out of the hybrid Suluk varieties we brought in from Borneo, and are getting ready for another box from somewhere else.

Check out what’s available by clicking the button below.

Go On An Adventure in Malaysia

Use this map to navigate both this website and the Durian World!

Get inspired by farms you want to visit. You’ll find all of the farms listed on this post in this map.

And if you have iOS, make sure to try out the interactive, up-to-date version on our Durian App. Android to be released in June, 2020.