Designer varieties, like the Musang King and D24 especially, have mostly been sent to China, leaving durian lovers in Singapore and Malaysia scrabbling for what’s left. The most popular products in China are vacuum-packed, flash-frozen Musang King durian, as well as Sudan King and D24 frozen durian pulp, which is suitable for hotel bakeries and professional confectioneries. In 2011, China lifted its restrictions on the import of Malaysian durian and demand from smaller retailers boomed. Chew says that since 2011, the wholesale price of quality durian in China has risen from RM3 per kilogram to more than RM70. China, it seems, has awakened to the intense pleasures of the King of Fruit and things will never be the same again.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 21, 2016 03:29 UTC