A single durian fetched a whopping 1.5 million baht ($48,000) at an auction in central Thailand on June 1.
The fruit, a Kanyao variety, attracted bids from wealthy attendees at the King of Durian festival in Nonthaburi, which saw models parade it with eight other durians on red and gold velvet pillows.
The durian, which carried a minimum price of 20,000 baht ($640), was handpicked from the nearby farm of Pa Toi Lung Mu just a day before the auction.
Other durian species in the event included Monthong and Kop Med Tao species, which sold more than 300,000 baht ($9,585) each.
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The Kanyao durian, native to Nonthaburi, is known for its sweet taste and creamy texture.
In 2011, a massive flood wiped out nearly all durian trees in the province, but the farm, among few other places, managed to save the variety and cultivate it again.
Some farms reportedly limit production of the Kanyao species to three to four fruits per tree to ensure high sugar content and nutrient density.
As such, buyers typically make reservations before purchasing.
“I knew this was a very special durian but I was amazed at how much it sold for,” said farm owner Maliwan Han Chai Thai, according to Reuters via AsiaOne. “I was expecting 1 million baht ($32,000) so for it to sell more is very good.”
“I hope the high bidder enjoys eating the durian. This variety is the tastiest in the world and we will keep growing them.”
A local businessman won the durian, which was singled out for its “perfect size, shape and ripeness,” the South China Morning Post noted.
Proceeds totaling 4.5 million baht ($144,000) will be returned to the farmers, while a fraction will be donated to charities sponsoring medical equipment for hospitals.
Images (Screenshots) via YouTube / CGTN
