Sunday, July 17, 2016

Durian orchards in Malaysia ripe with theft due to soaring fruit prices

Source Website: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/durian-orchards-malaysia-ripe-theft-due-soaring-fruit-prices
By Arnold Loh, The Star/ANN, Sunday, 17 July 2016


Smells suspicious
PHOTO: Smells suspicious: Durian orchard owners have been weary of passers-by near their orchards ever since shortages caused the price of the fruit to skyrocket.
Photo: The Star/ Asia News Network
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http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/durian-orchards-malaysia-ripe-theft-due-soaring-fruit


BALIK PULAU - With durian prices breaking records - a single Musang King can sell up to RM110 (S$34.14) here - the king of fruits is attracting not just fans but thieves as well.

So wary is orchard owner Datuk Dr Lim Seh Guan of thieves that he turns around to check at the sound of a motorcycle approaching.

"There are many small orchards here and we don't fence all around our land. We respect each other's boundaries.


FCS Durian Orchard @ Balik Pulau, Penang
PHOTO: FCS Durian Orchard @ Balik Pulau, Penang
Picture posted by Taufulou on 29 June 29 2016
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI2xqlTzJ9ixX-A6zcKnJGobH2dtV1HakjI-h24016Xm8fNyyZG4mPISHDlCmtMID-O-ZkKlrs9nxBdQ0GTPIQKUJ9NdDqaUyPeWOHRSoIwO8ZjNw4pb-xRYrKpiAj8dS3GidlfRNDgo/s1600/27929064076_b728432e5a_z.jpg
https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7686/27929064076_b728432e5a_z.jpg
http://www.taufulou.com/fcs-durian-orchard-balik-pulau-penang/


"But this year, for the first time ever, we saw thieves. They move around by motorcycle several times a day in search of fallen durians," he said.

Dr Lim, who works as an ear, nose and throat surgeon, tends to the 18 durian trees on his 0.65ha orchard that he bought 15 years ago.

One evening last month, Dr Lim, 53, said he confronted a motorcyclist picking up durians from his neighbour's land.


There is the little hut that serve farm fresh durian to you.
PHOTO: There is the little hut that serve farm fresh durian to you.
Picture posted by Taufulou on 29 June 29 2016
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http://www.taufulou.com/fcs-durian-orchard-balik-pulau-penang/


"He claimed he was scavenging for recyclables and just wanted a couple of durians to eat. We do allow locals to eat a few for free.

"But the basket on his motorbike was full of durians! My farmhand confronted another motorcyclist doing the same thing and he got threatened," he said.

He said a seller in town had told him last week that he was "hard up" for premium quality durians.


Owner open their farm for public where previously the owner just supply to seller at market at Balik Pulau.
PHOTO: Owner open their farm for public where previously the owner just supply to seller at market at Balik Pulau.
Picture posted by Taufulou on 29 June 29 2016
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DWN1FETWvlM7EX_uhUCYYHPetPkuqew0GM6L9D2WEjHU7-qa4B_e_GZyU2Gs_5d021tzuxjGiABfxTA1kGA46tMK9S7OViwqxlqQEk0CNUowZwKi9EAU5wu5cedtXWZvGY_qpKjQKVY/s1600/27861675092_82d9cf0cde_z.jpg
https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7130/27861675092_82d9cf0cde_z.jpg
http://www.taufulou.com/fcs-durian-orchard-balik-pulau-penang/


"His regular customer had reserved 100 prime durians, but there are so few now."

His neighbour, Lee Min Fun, 59, who has been selling durians for 30 years, sold a single large Musang King fruit for RM110.

"The price of Musang King is now RM50 per kg in Balik Pulau, and RM60 to RM70 per kg in the city.


Durian tree can grow very high until 150 feet tall.
PHOTO: Durian tree can grow very high until 150 feet tall. The common durian tree will produce fruits after four to five years. The height of the durian tree should be the major consideration before planting it.
Picture posted by Stacia on 27 August 2015
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http://www.beabeeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/durian-tree.jpg
http://www.beabeeinc.com/2015/08/durian-fruit-the-king-of-fruit/


"Previously, it was RM20 to RM35 per kg," Lee said, adding that he believed Musang King durians were now all sold out in Balik Pulau.

Lee attributed this shortage to the dry spell from El Nino earlier this year as well as a weaker ringgit, attracting foreigners and spiking export demand.

He said agents were offering to buy in bulk for export to Singapore, China and Hong Kong.


In general, durian is a large fruit which can reach to 30 cm long and 15 cm diameter with thorny green to brown skin.
PHOTO: In general, durian is a large fruit which can reach to 30 cm long and 15 cm diameter with thorny green to brown skin. The average weight of durian fruit ranges from one to five kilograms. The only edible part of durian fruit is the flesh inside the thorny skin; the creamy-yellow soft flesh with a sweet flavor.
Posted by Stacia on 27 August 2015
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http://www.beabeeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/durian-taste.jpg
http://www.beabeeinc.com/2015/08/durian-fruit-the-king-of-fruit/


The smoothness and thickness of the durian flesh depend on the species and ripeness stage.
PHOTO: The smoothness and thickness of the durian flesh depend on the species and ripeness stage. Common people in South East Asia region eat durian fruit flesh freshly from the skin; however the sweet flesh also used for various culinary and dessert. The famous way to use durian flesh for culinary purpose is through fermentation. It is also widely using the durian flesh for several kinds of beverages and dressing.
Posted by Stacia on 27 August 2015
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http://www.beabeeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/durian-fruit.jpg
http://www.beabeeinc.com/2015/08/durian-fruit-the-king-of-fruit/


The unpleasant smell of the durian comes from the ripe flesh.
PHOTO: The unpleasant smell of the durian comes from the ripe flesh.

Yes, it is easy to notice that only the ripe durian emits the stinking odor while the raw one does not. The unusual smell of durian makes people express different opinion ranging from disgust to appreciation.

Regardless the unpleasant smell, durian fruit has plenty of health benefits.
Similar to other tropical fruits such as banana and avocado, durian fruit contains high energy for 100 g of fresh fruit contains 147 calories.

The sweet and soft flesh is a form of simple sucrose and fructose which can replenish energy. Akin from other fruits, durian fruit is a natural source of dietary fiber which is a good laxative agent. Moreover, the durian fruit is also high in vitamin C and antioxidant which are good to protect the body against free radicals.

Besides, durian fruit is also a good source or minerals such as manganese, copper, and potassium. For those who have sleeping difficulty, the durian fruit surprisingly contains essential amino acid in high level which is a natural sleeping pill. The tryptophan substances in the body will metabolize into serotonin and melatonin which makes easy to sleep.
Posted by Stacia on 27 August 2015
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http://www.beabeeinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/what-does-durian-taste-like.jpg
http://www.beabeeinc.com/2015/08/durian-fruit-the-king-of-fruit/

By Arnold Loh, The Star/ANN, Sunday, 17 July 2016



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