BANGI, July 7 — While most orchard owners hope their trees produce as much fruit as possible, Duri Hitam durian grower Tan Cheng Long takes the opposite approach, removing a portion of the fruit to ensure only the highest-quality harvest is produced.
This strategy paid off when the crops produced by his company, Tuah Hayati Sdn Bhd, were crowned the overall 'King of Kings' champion at the World Durian Championship 2026.
“Even when the trees bear a heavy crop, we must be willing to remove some of the fruit so that the trees remain healthy and the quality is maintained,” he told Media Selangor at the Bangi Resort Hotel recently.
Tan added that fruit thinning is especially important for young Duri Hitam trees because an excessive fruit load prevents the trees from supplying sufficient nutrients to every fruit, ultimately affecting quality.
The trees at his orchard in Bera, Pahang, are between six and eight years old and are cultivated on approximately 50 acres of land.
Tan said that over 90 per cent of the materials used in managing his orchard are organic, ensuring that the fruit produced is of premium quality.
Duri Hitam is easier to manage than Musang King, although fruit thinning remains essential to ensure that each fruit receives adequate nutrients.
Fragrant aroma, creamy texture, fine flesh win judges over
He said the durian's fragrant aroma, creamy texture, and fine flesh were among the qualities that impressed the judging panel.
“I am delighted and never expected that, despite the trees still being young, they would produce durians of such outstanding quality that they would be selected by the judges,” Tan said.
He noted that durians from his orchard have previously been exported to Hong Kong during the fruiting season.
The victory saw Tuah Hayati Sdn Bhd take home RM10,000 in cash, a trophy, media coverage, an Advansia product hamper, and an exclusive marketing contract with Tropika Farm Depot Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Soo Sin Guan of Pengkalan Hulu Farm emerged as champion in the Open (Kampung) category, followed by Lai Chew Hor (Ah Pa Durian) in the Registered Clones category, and Lai Cheng Kuen (668 Durian King) in the Musang King category.
Tuah Hayati Sdn Bhd also claimed the Duri Hitam category title before being crowned the overall 'King of Kings' champion.
Now in its eighth edition, the World Durian Championship 2026 brought together the country's leading durian producers to showcase Malaysia's premium durian varieties.
A total of 192 entries were received, with winners across five competition categories selected by a panel of judges from Malaysia, China, Japan, and Singapore.
