With no buyers due to CMCO, Ranau farmers selling durians for as little as RM1

 By Olivia Miwil - October 12, 2020 @ 3:05pm

Durian sellers here are suffering losses from having to sell their produce as cheap as RM0.50 per kilogramme due to implementation of MCO at several districts in Sabah. - Pictures courtesy of Abdul Hamid Ahyak.

RANAU: Farmers and vendors here usually reap healthy incomes during the durian season... but not this time.

Due to the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in the west coast and the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) for the east coast, durian sellers have no one to sell their produce to, except wholesalers.

Abdul Hamid Ahyak, 57, from Kampung Luanti said the fruit season in the district was slightly delayed compared to other locations in the state.

"In Ranau, trees begin fruiting in the middle of September, which is when supply from other places is lower.

"However, due to the CMCO and TEMCO, there are no visitors travelling here to buy durians ," he said, adding that he is now selling his fruits by the road along Jalan Telupid.

He added that there is a viral video of a durian seller in the area, who is selling durians for just RM1 per kilogramme, despite the high grade quality.

Abdul Hamid said the situation could become desperate, as sellers must clear stock as the weather is bad.

"It is better now, but wholesalers are the only choices we have and our profit margins cannot even cover the costs incurred in this business.

"At this village, getting the durians from the orchard is not easy, as farmers and workers have to walk about 400 hilly routes to bring out the fruits to the main road," he said, adding that more costs are incurred when they bring the durians to town, but cannot sell at higher prices.

He said for a small durian, some are even sold for RM0.50 each at market.

As for grade A durians such as local D24, sellers can only sell them at RM4 or lower per kilogramme, compared with RM8 before movement restrictions in the state.

"The difference in our durians as compared to those from other districts is that ours are mostly hybrid and of good quality.

"But with such low prices, most farmers in Kampung Luanti here are hoping the relevant authorities would do something to assist us."