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Malaysian durian farmers are grappling with multiple challenges, including rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, which are making their plantations less profitable. The farmers face higher production costs, lower yields, and the disappearance of natural pollinators. These issues are compounded by competition in China’s massive durian import market, which is dominated by Thailand and Vietnam.

Iran war-related price increases have exacerbated the situation. Despite the hard work of orchard owners like Stephen Chow, who collects durian fruit at night, it may not be enough to avoid losses. Climate change, caused by the burning of oil, gas, and coal, is making it costlier for growers to produce quality durians. Extreme weather has dealt repeated blows to their orchards, with heavy rainfall in 2021 causing flooding and persistent rain during flowering season reducing yields.

Currently, Chow is facing a potential loss for the year due to extreme heat and rising fuel and fertilizer prices. Malaysia’s durian crop has expanded significantly from 92,100 hectares in 2024 to nearly 90% more from 2016, but the country lags behind Thailand and Vietnam in exports to China. Malaysian durians are considered higher quality, with growers typically harvesting only naturally ripened fruit.

However, extreme heat has led to weather-related issues, such as white and grayish patches on the flesh and water shortages causing black spots. The El Nino weather phenomenon could bring record-high temperatures to Malaysia, further stressing durian growers.