Climate change raises costs for Malaysian durian growers

Workers collect ripened durians after dark in Karak

KARAK, Malaysia — Workers at Stephen Chow’s orchard spend hours in the dead of night collecting freshly ripened durians while wearing headlamps, according to the Associated Press.

Climate change is making it more costly for Malaysian growers such as Chow to produce quality durians. The added expense comes as growers compete with producers in Thailand and Vietnam in a booming export market to China.

Malaysian growers cultivate premium varieties including Musang King and Black Thorn. The varieties are prized by durian lovers.

An Associated Press photograph taken at Chow’s orchard in Karak, in Malaysia’s Pahang state, on June 23, 2026, showed Chow spraying fertilizer on a tree.