KOTA KINABALU: Tourists and local residents now have the opportunity to purchase durians at farm prices through the Sabah Durian Tourism Bazaar, which is being held for three days starting yesterday.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry of Sabah, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, stated that the bazaar, taking place at Segama Waterfront, allows consumers to enjoy fresh fruits directly from the orchard without intermediaries.
He said that 55 stalls are open throughout the event, including those selling beverages, food, and local food industry products.
“Of that total, 14 stalls are dedicated to fruits, most of which are operated by members of the Durian and Tropical Fruit Growers Association (MASDA).
“The concept of farm-to-consumer enables visitors to enjoy lower prices.
*Typically, Musang King is sold for over RM80 in the market, but here it is only RM55 to RM65, as it is farm price,” he said.
He made these remarks after officiating the Sabah Durian Tourism Bazaar here on Saturday.
Jamawi noted that this approach is not intended to compete with existing durian traders but rather to complement the durian sales ecosystem that has existed for decades.
He added that existing sales areas are still thriving even with the bazaar taking place.
Jamawi said that this initiative not only provides better returns for farm owners but also ensures that the community enjoys more reasonable prices, thereby invigorating the durian industry in Sabah as a whole.
“Tourists can not only enjoy fresh fruits at the best prices but also witness the process and quality of durians that are professionally cultivated,” he said.
Source – Sabah Media
