By The Table desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Singapore’s durians mostly come from Johor and Pahang in Malaysia, where the seasons usually peak in June, July and December. Durian is sold by the kilo, with the husk on, and priced by variety. In the June 2026 glut, Mao Shan Wang fell from about S$28 a kilo in March to about S$20. Cheaper varieties such as Red Prawn dropped from S$14 to S$12.
Quick facts
- The main season is June and July, with a second season in December.
- Whole fruit is priced per kilo, husk on; boxed flesh is priced per box.
- 2026 ranges: Mao Shan Wang S$8 to S$30 a kilo, D24 S$10 to S$15, Black Thorn S$12 to S$33.
- An average fruit weighs about 1.5kg.
- Glut years bring lower prices but often blander fruit.
- Durians are banned on MRT trains and buses.
When is durian season?
Most of Singapore’s durians come from Johor and Pahang, where the harvest usually peaks in June, July and December. Weather moves those dates. In 2026, hotter temperatures brought an earlier and much larger harvest.
How is durian priced?
Whole fruit is priced by the kilo with the husk on, so you pay for the shell as well as the flesh. An average fruit weighs about 1.5kg. Boxed packs of flesh without the husk are sold by the box, usually around 500g.
What do the main varieties cost?
| Variety | Whole fruit (2026) | Boxed, about 500g |
|---|---|---|
| Mao Shan Wang (Musang King) | S$8–30/kg | S$25–35 |
| D24 (Sultan) | S$10–15/kg | S$25–35 |
| Black Thorn (D200) | S$12–33/kg | S$30–60 |
| Red Prawn | About S$12/kg (June) | — |
Malaysian varieties are usually named with a D and a number, such as D24.
Why don’t Singapore prices fall as far as Malaysia’s?
In the June 2026 glut, Musang King was reportedly selling for about RM6 (S$2) a kilo in Malaysia. Singapore sellers said they couldn’t go anywhere near that once overheads, transport and GST were added. They expected Mao Shan Wang to bottom out at about S$18 a kilo, as it did in the December 2025 glut.
Is cheap durian a bargain?
Not always. In 2026, one seller warned that the market was flooded with fruit from younger trees, which lowered quality. Some stalls sold Mao Shan Wang at as little as S$8 a kilo, but that fruit tended to be smaller or lower grade, and some was reported to be very bland.
How to buy without regret
- Ask the price per kilo and watch the fruit being weighed.
- Ask the seller to open it before you pay; most stalls will.
- Eat it at the stall, where tables are laid out for exactly this.
- For boxed flesh, check the weight printed on the box.
Where can’t I take durian?
Onto the MRT, where durians have been banned since 1988 because of their smell. Bus drivers turn passengers with durians away too. Many hotels don’t allow durian either.
The WahLiao Verdict
Buy in the glut, not the hype, and taste before you pay, because cheap years also bring bland fruit. Eat it at the stall, pay for the kilos you watched weighed, and leave it off the MRT.
Questions people ask
Is Mao Shan Wang the same as Musang King?
Yes; they are two names for the same variety.
What’s D24?
One of the Malaysian varieties named by number. It was Singapore’s favourite before Musang King took over, and has a balanced, bittersweet taste.
Can I bring durian home on the MRT?
No.
When is the cheapest time to buy?
At the peak of a big harvest, when prices fall; that’s also when quality varies most.
Sources: The Straits Times via Malay Mail on 2026 durian prices (24 June 2026); dollarsandsense.sg, 2026 durian price guide; NLB Infopedia, Durian; FreshPlaza on durian prices and the bus incident.
Read next: The Singapore Hawker Food Glossary · How a Hawker Centre Works · Back to The Table
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
