Tapah: The RM1 per kilogramme durian price issue previously reported by the media only involves grade C durians and does not reflect the overall durian harvest in the Jalan Pahang, Tapah area, said Perak Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) director (Food Security and Operations) Mohd Salleh Saidin. He clarified that the concern pertains specifically to grade C durians, which constitute a significant portion of the local production.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Salleh emphasized that grade C durians account for about 70 per cent of production in the region, whereas grade A durians are still being sold at prices ranging from RM8 to RM11 per kilogramme, consistent with current market conditions. He elaborated that discussions and information gathering indicated the involvement of 20 durian collectors and farmers, with an average daily collection of around four metric tonnes. The majority of the durians produced are grade C (70 per cent) and grade B (30 per cent), commonly referred to as end fruit.

Durian from the Tapah area is recognized as Durian Bukit Jalan Pahang, Tapah, and its production season is anticipated to conclude by the end of January 2026. Mohd Salleh issued these comments after visiting and meeting the Tok Batin of the Orang Asli community at Kampung Batu 6, Jalan Pahang, Tapah, Fadzli Arom, to gain a clearer understanding of the durian marketing situation in the vicinity.

He further disclosed that the visit unveiled that the Tok Batin did not market durians to FAMA, due to an existing agreement with a trader who had purchased the entire durian harvest. Consequently, FAMA is not participating in purchasing durians this season, as the harvest remains under the prior agreement with the trader.

Mohd Salleh stated that Perak FAMA is prepared to engage and act as a facilitator should farmers or harvesters face marketing challenges in the future. This approach aligns with FAMA’s commitment to protect farmers’ welfare and ensure the ongoing stability of the durian market.

The media had previously reported that the income of Orang Asli residents along Jalan Pahang, from Batu 3 to Batu 25, suffered a significant impact following a sharp decline in durian prices this season, with selling prices reported as low as RM1 to RM2 per kilogramme.