KUCHING: With the durian season in full swing, the sweet, unmistakable aroma of the ‘king of fruits’ fills the air, drawing locals and visitors to Matang’s bustling durian stalls.
The vibrant scene is a testament to the popularity of the seasonal fruit, as families, durian enthusiasts, and even first-time tasters flock to the area in search of the freshest, creamiest offerings.
Mohammad Mokhtar Bujang, 57, famously known as Hassan Durian, is one of the many vendors who have made Emart Matang their home during the season.
For over two decades, his stall next to the supermarket has been a staple for durian lovers, with loyal customers returning time and again.
Loyal customers return year after year, drawn not only by the taste of his fruits but also by his honesty and dedication.
“Durians used to be really expensive. Now, the prices are reasonable.
“Small durians sell for RM5 to RM6, the bigger ones RM15 to RM20, and the very large ones can reach RM40 to RM50,” he said as he brushed dirt off freshly arrived durians before sorting them by grade.
Hassan has been selling durians for over 21 years, witnessing the ebb and flow of harvests, particularly during the rainy season when the fruit quality can be unpredictable.
“During the rainy season, some durians aren’t as good. The flesh can be soft or uneven but we always make sure customers are satisfied.
“If someone says my durians aren’t good, whether they’re overripe, too soft or damaged, I swap them.
“Good fruits go into the containers and any bad ones can be replaced,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
His stall features a variety of durians, including D168, the yellow-fleshed variety which is most popular among customers.
“We also sell Musang King and Blackthorn, but less than before. These durians are sold by weight,” he added.
Competition among durian vendors can be tough but Hassan’s straightforward approach has earned him loyal customers.
“I auction my durians honestly and many of them even bring their own containers. If a durian isn’t very good, I honestly say it’s for making tempoyak.
The busiest hours at Hassan’s stall are between 7.30 pm and 11.30 pm. Every day, his stock sells out.
“I typically sell around 1000 to 1100 durians per day, depending on the weather. Selling a lot is difficult due to unpredictable weather. There are a lot of fruits out there but I don’t want to sell too many —just enough.
“These durians come from Kampung Taee, Serian, with some sourced from Sungai Buah, Lundu and Bau,” he added.
Hassan’s hope for the season is simple — to sell as much as possible.
Meanwhile, David Kuan, 27, operates his durian stall near one of Emart’s entrances in front of Rumati Sport.
“These durians come from Kampung Taee, Serian. The largest ones sell for RM15, the smallest for RM5, and I mostly sell ‘durian kampung’. Customers can open and eat them here,” he said..
Kuan’s stall operates from Monday to Friday at Emart and on Saturdays and Sundays at Kubah Ria Complex.
“When it’s not durian season, we sell other fruits. The durian season usually lasts until March.
“Our durians are fresh, harvested in the village in the morning and arriving here around 11 am. The flesh is soft, and we sell them for RM12 each.
“On a typical day, we sell between 500 and 600 durians. We have many loyal customers but most prefer a drive-thru service. When they drive through, we help them select the best fruits,” he added.
During the rainy season, David starts selling earlier, adapting to weather conditions and customer demand.
“At night, we auction a bag for RM30 and let customers choose their durians.
“We sell until around 10 or 10.30 pm. If Emart closes, we close too. Sometimes we sell all the durians by the end of the night when we auction them,” he said.
From the fragrant streets of Matang to the bustling drive-thru lines at Emart, it is clear that the durian season in Sarawak is a time of vibrancy, dedication and celebration of one of the state’s most cherished fruits.
