Deputy Agriculture and Food Industry Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah said the price hike was due to a 50% drop in durian production due to weather conditions.
"We believe that the rainy season at the end of March to April has impacted the pollination of durian, which impacts the number of fruits.
"We expect this factor will result in a drop of 50% in total production in some states,” he told reporters at the Aidilfitri open house at Pengkalan Umbai here.
Besides weather, increased fertiliser and labour costs have also affected the production of the King of Fruits.
Sounds suspiciously convenient.