Durian season is upon us again, with the quality of durians expecting to peak in June. But with Covid-19 still looming over our heads, you’re probably wondering: has the pandemic affected durian supply and prices this year?
The Straits Times reports that while prices of Mao Shan Wang durians are currently 20 per cent higher than last year, they are expected to come down in the near future, so it pays to be patient.
An industry expert from Royal Durian Singapore shares that the best time to get your hands on the fruit is two to three weeks after the start of the season (when prices might go down). But if you have a seller that you trust, you can purchase your durians at any time you want.
They also warn that if you notice sellers suddenly giving massive discounts on their durians, it is possible that their inventory is starting to go bad and needs to be cleared.
So if you’re worried about heading outside during the pandemic, but still want to indulge, you can still get your favourite thorny fruits (and other durian-based treats) delivered right to your doorstep! Check out our list below.
They specialise in the Pahang Mao Shan Wang durian which is freshly brought into Singapore in the day. In the evening, the durian is packed off and immediately delivered to ensure its freshness when it reaches you. You can be assured that all their durian is of the highest standards as they never serve overnight durian. Instead, their leftover stock is made into their own cold confectionary, like durian puffs and mousse.
Price: Seasonal price for the Pahang Mao Shan Wang. Special Pastry Bundles from $67.50 (3-4 pax).
Delivery: $5 fee. Free delivery for more than two boxes of fresh durians and orders above $40 for their confectionery.
How to order: Message them on Facebook, Instagram or Whatsapp 8186 8552.
Still a relatively new company, 99 Old Trees have turned to social media like Facebook Live and TikTok to document their durian harvesting and packaging process to show customers the quality of their products. Their Mao Shan Wang durians are a hot favourite among customers and they also offer frozen Mao Shan Wang durians so you can keep them longer. If you receive a box that is not quite up to standard, they offer full refunds or replacements. All you have to do is send them an image of “the wretched piece of durian” as they call it and they will fix the problem. They also serve a variety of other durian desserts during off season.
Price: Mao Shan Wang, $56/box. S17 Durian, $38/box. D13 Durian, $34/box.
Delivery: $4.90 delivery. Free delivery for orders above $150. Order before 3pm for same day delivery.
How to order: Order through their website.
Founded back in 1998, Durian Man has over 20 years of experience in the industry. They are one of the most well-known durian suppliers in Malaysia and in the region, offering top quality Mao Shan Wang and Premium D1 Ganghai Durian, which has a more milky and sweet taste. Durian Man also supplies durian paste and puree to many local bakeries and ice cream places in Singapore, another testament to the quality of their durians.
Price: Black Gold Mao Shan Wang, $35/400 g. D1 Ganghai Durian, $25/350 g. D13 Red Prawn Sweet Durian, $25/400 g.
Delivery: Delivery charges calculated at checkout. Free delivery on orders above $50.
How to order: Visit their website or order through Shopee.
Besides their highly popular Mao Shan Wang Durians, Jojo Durian is also known for their Wang Zhong Wang Durians. This season, they also offer a D24 Durian Set which consists of a pack of freshly dehusked durians, coconut water, gloves and tissue paper. They update their site regularly with different types of durians whenever they are in season, so do check back often to see if your favourite is available.
Price: Mao Shan Wang Durian, $88.90/800 g. D24 Durian Set, $59.90/800 g. Wang Zhong Wang, $50.90/800 g.
Delivery: Delivery charges calculated at checkout. Free delivery for orders above $120. Due to peak season, they don’t deliver during weekends.
How to order: Visit their website to place your order.
Prior to delivery, each durian is specially hand-picked by their staff to ensure the best quality is delivered to your doorstep. They are also known for carrying some of the best Mao Shan Wang durians in vacuum packs, ensuring the freshness and taste of their durian flesh. As they are all vacuum packed, the durians last a longer time as long as you keep them frozen. If you’ve got a bigger group of durian lovers to feed, they currently offer a free packet of Mao Shan Wang if you purchase six packets at once.
Price: Mao Shan Wang vacuum pack, $45/400 g
Delivery: $6 delivery fee. Free delivery if for orders of two or more packets.
How to order: Visit their website to order.
The Durian Story sources their durians from different plantations around Malaysia to ensure the best quality for different varieties of durians. Their Mao Shan Wang and Black Gold Durian varieties are one of their fastest selling products, so be sure to place your order quickly! According to the type of durian in season, their product offerings will change, so do check their Instagram for updated lists of available types. If you’re unsure about what type of durian to try, you can message them to ask for recommendations to suit your tastebuds.
Price: Differs depending on availability, check their Instagram for the latest price lists.
Delivery: Delivery charges calculated at check out. Free delivery for orders above $100.
How to order: Whatsapp or call 8797 6699. For bulk orders, email thedurianstory.enquiry@gmail.com.
For bulk orders, Durian Garden is a good choice. Their durians are sourced from various sources to ensure the best quality is delivered to you. They also accept returns or requests for refunds after purchase to ensure your satisfaction. You can also choose to have your durians delivered dehusked or whole at no additional costs.
Price: Mao Shan Wang, $25/kg. Golden Phoenix, $12/kg. More varieties of durians can be viewed on their full menu.
Delivery: Minimum order of $120 with free delivery.
How to order: For orders of more than 20 kg, call or text 9799 8873 at least two days in advance.
You may have already heard of this well-known durian supplier in Singapore. Fruit Monkeys offers a variety of durians, with their star product being the Old Tree Mao Shan Wang Durian. Their latest pricing information can be found on their Facebook page which they update regularly. All of their orders are also vacuum packed to ensure freshness upon delivery.
Price: Premium Mao Shan Wang, $21/kg. Old Tree Signature MSW (Intense), $23/kg.
Delivery: Minimum order of $80 with $15 delivery fee. Free delivery for orders above $180.
How to order: Call 6291 2383 or Whatsapp 9145 2860.
They carry a variety of durians, including the prized Mao Shan Wang durians. Other types include Red Prawn, Hulu and more. With their popularity, they tend to sell out pretty fast, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates on when delivery slots are open! If you want same day delivery, it is best to place your orders before 7pm or your order will only reach you the next day. If their site orders are full, you can try heading straight down to their stall at 227 East Coast Road.
Price: Mao Shan Wang, $22/kg. Red Prawn, $12/kg. Hulu $15/kg.
Delivery: Minimum order of $30, plus delivery charge of $10-$12. Free Delivery for orders above $120.
How to order: Order through their website.
Text: Tan Gin Yee
Prices are accurate as of June 11, 2020.