NIBONG TEBAL: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is stepping up its 2026 Seasonal Fruits Marketing and Intervention Plan in Penang to ensure local durian is marketed efficiently during the peak season from June to August.
Penang FAMA director Mohd Hafiz Nurulhuda said the plan aims to reduce the impact of excess supply following higher production in major durian-producing states.
He said Penang’s durian output is expected to exceed 18,000 metric tonnes this year, compared with about 17,000 metric tonnes last year.
“Although there is a slight oversupply, the impact in Penang is not significant because only about 30 per cent of the production consists of kampung durian,” he said after the opening of the Penang Durian Festival and the launch of the Road to MAHA 2026 programme by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Masjid Al-Rasyidin here today.
Mohd Hafiz said said that prices of premium varieties such as ‘Black Thorn’ and ‘Musang King’ remain stable at between RM30 and RM40 per kilogramme.
To support growers, FAMA is buying durians through a forward agreement involving about 85 metric tonnes.
“If the price of kampung durian falls below RM2.70 per kilogramme, FAMA will buy it at the floor price,” he said.
FAMA has also set up two temporary collection centres in Balik Pulau and Seberang Jaya, which have marketed about 50 metric tonnes of durian this season.
The agency has also supplied 310 metric tonnes of durian to its marketing outlets and expanded direct sales to the Klang Valley.
Mohd Hafiz said FAMA is also developing agro-tourism projects and upgrading orchard facilities to strengthen Penang’s position as a leading premium durian destination. – BERNAMA
