Durian sellers brace for less supply, poorer quality durians amid rainy peak harvest season

“The biggest challenge that we’re having now is trying to maintain the quality of durians from the durian supplier,” he added.

Another seller, 99 Old Trees Durian, also relies on frozen inventory to bridge the gap between harvest seasons.

While fresh durian accounts for about 80 per cent of its sales during harvest season, the company stockpiles up to 9 tonnes of seasonal harvest each year.

The fruit is frozen using liquid nitrogen and later used to make desserts sold at its cafe, including local favourites like chendol as well as other items such as durian mousse and cream puffs.

“During the off-season, the desserts are what keeps the lights on,” said 99 Old Trees Durian co-founder Kelvin Tan.

“We serve them up in desserts of different forms. For example, we serve them in cakes, or we turn them into durian ice cream, etc. … so customers can try durian at any time throughout the year.”

The company also produces its own durian paste, supplying it to about five bakeries and ice cream shops in Singapore.