Terengganu: The Terengganu Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has begun processing durians into pulp daily to address the oversupply of the fruit in the state's market.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, FAMA's director, Muhamad Fadlee Hassan, stated that the initiative has been in operation at FAMA's Fresh Fruit Processing Centre in Besut since June 22. This effort is part of the 2026 Seasonal Fruits Marketing and Intervention Implementation Plan, designed to market growers' produce more systematically while managing excess supply.

Muhamad Fadlee highlighted that they anticipate processing around 10 tonnes of durian pulp monthly due to the oversupply. The processing centre has the capacity to store approximately 16 tonnes at any one time. Durian pulp, or fresh durian flesh, is utilized in downstream industries to produce traditional cakes, ice cream, and other products, selling at prices ranging from RM30 to RM40 per kilogramme (kg).

The initiative was introduced after farm-gate durian prices dropped below RM3.50 per kg. Muhamad Fadlee explained that even though durian production in Terengganu, particularly in Besut, Setiu, and Hulu Terengganu, is not as high as in other states, the influx of supplies from other regions has led to an oversupply, exerting pressure on prices within the state.

As a measure of intervention, FAMA purchases durians from registered collectors at RM3 per kg before processing them into pulp. Additionally, FAMA is selling durians in bulk at low prices directly to consumers through its 11 sales centres across Terengganu.