Singapore, ranked the world's second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025 according to The Economist, relies heavily on imported durians, primarily from neighboring Malaysia. Harvests from some Malaysian regions are expected to reach Singapore later this month, but supplies are likely to be lower than last year's bumper crop.

Weather conditions in the coming weeks could affect the quality and size of this year's durian harvest as the peak season runs from June to September. Heavy rainfall can affect the taste, texture and ripeness of durians, often having a greater impact on prices than harvest volumes, sellers and suppliers told Channel News Asia.

Jeremy Chew, founder of Royal Durian, a retailer specializing in Musang King, said fruit quality has a greater influence on prices than overall harvest volumes. The popular Malaysian variety is prized for its bittersweet flavor and creamy flesh.

"Ultimately, we need to factor in the weather as well ... If let's say every day (there is) heavy rain, durian quality will be very bland or unripe," said Austin Quak, co-founder of Rolling Durian in Singapore's Toa Payoh district.

Quak, who is sourcing durians from Malaysia's Perak and Penang states, said those regions have delivered more consistent quality than some other growing areas.

Durians harvested at an orchard in Vietnam's Mekong Delta in February 2026. Photo by VnExpres/Manh Khuong

Adapting through technology

As growers and retailers contend with increasingly unpredictable harvest conditions, many sellers are also changing how they reach customers.

Livestreaming has become an increasingly important sales channel, allowing consumers to watch durians being opened in real time before deciding whether to place an order. The approach enables vendors to serve multiple customers simultaneously, unlike traditional walk-in sales, Quak said.

The trend has accelerated in recent years. Last summer, some durian businesses in Singapore reported six-figure sales through livestreams on platforms such as TikTok during the peak harvest season.

Ray Lim, a durian seller who markets his products through livestreams, told The Straits Times that the broadcasts often extend beyond sales discussions, ranging from small talk to deeper conversations about rising living costs and supporting acquaintances with mental health struggles. "When people know your sincerity and who you are, they are more likely to buy from you."

Quak said online sales at his business have increased about 50% from a year earlier. However, as more vendors embrace livestreaming, competition has intensified, leading to more discounts and promotional bundles.

Some companies are also turning to other technology to reduce their reliance on seasonal harvests and weather conditions.

Singapore start-up Spike Durian uses electromagnetic fields during the freezing process to preserve durians long after the harvest season ends. The company processes and freezes the fruit within five hours of harvest in Malaysia's Pahang state, allowing it to be stored for at least six months while maintaining quality.

The technology, developed in Europe, could eventually be applied to other products, including seafood and ready-to-eat meals. Christopher Quek, founder of Spike Durian, told CNA that the frozen fruit has proven popular in Singapore and is attracting demand from overseas buyers supplying premium supermarkets.

Another Singapore-based company, 99 Old Trees Durian, also relies on frozen inventory to bridge the gap between harvest seasons. While fresh durian accounts for about 80% of its sales during the harvest season, the company stockpiles up to nine tons of fruit each year.

The durians are frozen using liquid nitrogen and later used to make desserts sold at its cafe, including chendol, durian mousse and cream puffs. The company also produces durian paste, supplying it to about five bakeries and ice cream shops across Singapore.