Johor durian costs may spike in upcoming season as farmers count on 50% fall in yield attributable to floods

JOHOR BAHRU: The latest bout of heavy rain and floods which hit varied components of Johor has upset the durian harvest for the upcoming season later in Could.

It will probably cut back the provision of durians by half and in flip, end in worth will increase for some varieties which might be exported to Singapore and China, farmers advised CNA. 

Mr Francis Hong, vice-president of the Malaysian Fruit Farmers Affiliation, mentioned the heavy rain and floods over the previous month have occurred throughout a crucial juncture of the harvesting course of for durian farms in areas similar to Segamat, Batu Pahat and Muar. 

“The unhealthy climate in early March has disrupted the flowering course of for lots of the durian timber in these areas and this may influence the harvest for the upcoming season considerably,” mentioned Mr Hong, who can be chairman of the Johor Fruit Farmers Affiliation. 

“Due to the dearth of daylight and floodwaters damaging the timber, the flowers in lots of of those timber have didn’t mature, and the fruits is not going to be shaped. I feel Johor will seemingly produce 50 per cent much less durians as in comparison with earlier years,” he added. 

The height annual durian season in Malaysia sometimes occurs from Could to August. 

Extended heavy rain in early March had led to floods throughout varied components of northern and central Johor, together with Batu Pahat, Kluang, Pulai, Muar in addition to Segamat, an space popularly identified for producing good high quality durians. 

At its peak, round 50,000 individuals have been displaced from their houses in the course of the floods. Nonetheless, that determine has declined since. 

Based on the Nationwide Catastrophe Administration Company, about 6,160 individuals have been primarily based in short-term reduction centres as of Tuesday (Mar 21) afternoon. 

Durian guide Lim Chin Kee advised CNA that it’s inevitable that the floods in Johor have adversely impacted durian provide. 

Mr Lim, who owns a durian plantation in Raub, Pahang, mentioned that the rain and floods trigger the roots to be impacted by fungus within the soil, and this will trigger seedlings to wither and die earlier than they fruit. 

“The continual rainfall has additionally precipitated many durian timber to have rotten roots. Some durian orchards in Johor have very excessive casualties, others have minor casualties, however general harvest is considerably impacted,” he mentioned. 

This text was initially printed by channelnewsasia.com. Learn the authentic article right here.