CORONAVIRUS | The plunging sale of durian during the movement control order (MCO) period has forced sellers of the king of fruits in Klang to switch to hawking eggs instead.

The Star reported last night that this predicament was faced by several durian traders in Klang, such as Ang Lai Huat in Berkeley Garden, since the MCO was imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

Ang was quoted as saying that he and other fellow durian traders faced difficulty in trying to obtain the fruits from the usual suppliers from Raub in Pahang and Johor during the MCO.

“To earn a living, I and many other traders have decided to sell eggs. We are doing a brisk business now as eggs are a staple people want,” he said.

Kenny Lee, who ventured into the durian trade a few months ago, claimed that his business was crippled during the MCO period.

"Other traders advised me to sell eggs. With much trepidation, I started a week ago.

“I am amazed as customers are buying up to five trays a week," Lee was quoted as saying.

Another trader of the fruit, Sarmin Samijo, said he faced a problem in obtaining his supply of wild durians from Hulu Langat.

He then switched to selling eggs, upon seeing fellow traders selling the alternative product.

“In eight days, I saw customers from as far as Kampung Delek, Sungai Udang and Teluk Pulai come here to get eggs," Sarmin said.

Meanwhile, housewife Norashikin Md Ariffin pointed out that eggs were a staple in her family’s diet as these could be used for both meals and even for making cakes.

Norashikin said her five children loved to have eggs for breakfast, whether scrambled or sunny-side up.

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