PADANG PANJANG, kiprahkita.net - The arrival of the durian season in early 2025 has brought vibrant energy to the bustling markets of Padang Panjang, the City of Rain.
Despite the often unpredictable weather, the lively atmosphere in the markets remains unaffected, as traders and buyers flock to hunt for the king of fruits.
Even as the day turns into evening, the Central Market remains abuzz with activity. As night falls, the number of customers grows, crowding around durian vendors scattered across various locations.
Among these vendors is a devoted husband-and-wife team, Syamsir (60) and Yusmanidar (52), who have been consistently running their stall every day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Residing in Silaing Bawah, Padang Panjang Barat, they sell their durians on Jl. M. Syafe'i in Padang Panjang Market. For them, durian season is both a challenge and an opportunity.
The durians they sell are not sourced from their own orchard. Instead, they purchase them daily from third-party suppliers, paying cash and transporting the fruits to the market by car to resell.
“We buy durians daily and bring them to the market by car. Then, we sell them here,” Syamsir explained, detailing their routine, which they have followed for years during durian season.
Each day, they procure around 250 durians, selling them at prices ranging from Rp10,000 to Rp100,000 for three durians.
Any unsold stock is carried over to the next day, supplemented by fresh inventory. Quality is their top priority.
“We only sell sweet and fresh durians. White-fleshed and yellow-fleshed durians are the most popular among customers,” Syamsir shared.
To ensure quality, Syamsir relies on a time-tested traditional method. “We tap the durian with a knife. If it sounds right, it means the durian is ripe and sweet,” he said while demonstrating the technique that has become second nature to him.
This method, honed over years of experience, ensures that the durians they sell consistently delight their customers.
However, selling durians is not without its challenges. Each day, about 20 durians spoil and become unsellable.
Despite this, Syamsir and Yusmanidar maintain their integrity. If a customer ends up with a spoiled durian, they promptly replace it.
“We always replace spoiled durians, even if it means taking a loss,” said Syamsir.
The financial loss can be significant, but for them, preserving their reputation and earning customer trust is far more important.
“We want customers to return and become regulars, not just buy once. That’s what keeps this business going,” Yusmanidar added.
In addition to selling whole durians, Yusmanidar boosts their income by offering durian-based treats, including sticky rice with durian, a favorite among many buyers.
Sticky rice with durian is affordably priced at Rp15,000 per portion, plain sticky rice costs Rp10,000, and peeled durian is sold for Rp20,000.
“Sticky rice with durian is a great alternative for customers who want to enjoy durian in a different way,” Yusmanidar said.
Although durian season comes only once a year, Syamsir and Yusmanidar’s dedication to providing the best for their customers never wanes.
Through their unwavering commitment to quality and consistency, they demonstrate that perseverance and integrity are the keys to thriving in a challenging business.(nurwisma/kominfopdp)
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