Issue #55: What’s Happening This Week? Record Low Musang King Durian Prices, COE Premiums Shift, and More

This week in the news: Singaporeans with a taste for durian might be in for a pleasant surprise, but the same can’t be said for those relying on private-hire car rentals. There’s a fresh twist brewing on Orchard Road, with one of its most familiar malls entering new territory. Meanwhile, pawnbroking is shedding its old image as gold prices soar, and the latest COE bidding round offers both relief and frustration depending on what you drive. Five stories, each one shaking up the norm—let’s dive in.

Psst, missed last week’s issue? View all past editions of What’s Happening This Week? to catch up.

[ms-toc title="Issue #55: What's Happening This Week?"]

Musang King prices: 10-year low means a treat for durian lovers

If you’ve ever hesitated at Musang King prices, now’s the time to treat yourself. Thanks to a bumper harvest in Malaysia, Musang King (Mao Shan Wang) durians are going for as little as $8 per kilogram in Singapore—about half the price compared to last year. Sellers say this 10-year low should last for roughly two more weeks before prices bounce back up by 20–30%.

What’s behind the fall?

• Record harvests in Malaysia have flooded the market
• Sellers are importing up to 20% more durians compared to last year
• Online delivery sales have soared by 50% this season

What does this mean for you?

• Promotions abound, such as buy-5-get-1-free offers
• Discounted boxes from $2 are proving popular, especially with migrant workers
• Other varieties like Red Prawn are also seeing price cuts, but D24 remains pricier

Quick facts

But don’t wait too long—the supply glut is set to end soon.

Autobahn Rent A Car suspends operations amid $300 million debt

Private-hire drivers in Singapore are feeling the pinch as Autobahn Rent A Car suspends its rental business. The company, which operates about 1,700 vehicles—including car-sharing service Shariot—has had its fleet repossessed by creditors after racking up more than $300 million in debt. Insurance for many cars has been terminated, and affected drivers are being urged to find alternatives quickly.

Key details:

• Number of vehicles affected: ~1,700
• Outstanding debt: Over $300 million
• CPF owed: $85,000 (November)
• Car-sharing arm: Shariot (services paused since 31 Dec 2025)

What’s happening for drivers?

• National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Land Transport Authority (LTA), ComfortDelGro, Grab, and Strides Premier are working together to help affected drivers secure new vehicles.
• Insurers have cancelled car insurance policies, making many vehicles unusable on public roads.
• Some cars are missing—Baker Tilly, the firm helping to recover assets, is asking drivers in possession to reach out.

If you’re a driver affected by this, contact your ride platform or operator for help.

ALSO READ: Should You Buy a Used Car in Singapore? Pros, Pitfalls & Price Comparisons

Part of Centrepoint mall up for en bloc sale: What it means for shoppers and owners

A slice of Orchard Road history is up for grabs. A section of The Centrepoint mall—comprising 66 residential units and 66 retail units—has been put up for en bloc sale at a guide price of $418 million.

This collective sale, known as “en bloc,” means that unit owners have agreed to sell all their properties together as a block to a single buyer, often a property developer, usually to attract higher bids. The buyer may redevelop or repurpose the property. In this case, the sale does not include the 151 retail units facing Orchard Road.

What’s being offered?

• 132 strata units:
  • 66 residential
  • 66 retail
• 52 years left on lease, site area ~44,700 sq ft
• Guide price: $418 million (about $2,709 per sq ft per plot ratio)

What could this mean for consumers?
While the eventual impact depends on the buyer’s plans, an en bloc sale can sometimes lead to redevelopment or upgrading of the site, which might affect the mix of shops or residences. For now, only a portion of The Centrepoint is involved, so the mall as a whole remains open.

Cat A COE drops to $102,009, but prices climb for bigger cars

In the first Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise of 2026, Singapore drivers saw a mixed bag of results. The Category A COE—which covers smaller and less powerful cars, including many electric vehicles—fell by 6.8% to $102,009. This is down from $109,501 in the previous round. Meanwhile, Category B COEs, for larger and more powerful cars, edged up by 3.5% to $119,100.

Here’s a quick look at the changes:

COEs are required to register and own a vehicle in Singapore, and their cost is a major part of a car’s overall price. There was a 3-week gap between bidding rounds this time (instead of the usual 2 weeks), giving dealers more time to gather orders. Two COE bidding exercises are held each month.

ALSO READ: Guide to COE in Singapore (2026): What It Means, Bidding Process & Price Trends

Singapore pawnshops: Over $5b in loans as gold prices soar

Pawnshops in Singapore handed out more than $5 billion in loans in the first half of 2025—the highest seen in 10 years. According to the Singapore Pawnbrokers’ Association, this boom is thanks to 2 big trends: surging gold prices and a stronger appetite for quick cash.

What’s driving this record high?

• Gold prices up 65% year-on-year, letting customers borrow more against the same jewellery
• Younger customers (late 20s to 40s) are turning to pawnshops for business needs or short-term cash
• Flexibility: No long paperwork—pledge an item, get cash, redeem when ready

How does pawning work?

Pawning is a straightforward way to get fast cash without giving up ownership of your valuables. Here’s how it works: you bring in an item—most often gold jewellery—and use it as collateral for a short-term loan. Once you’ve paid back the loan along with the interest, you’re free to reclaim your item. Unlike some bank loans, there are no late fees or administrative charges to worry about, making it a flexible and accessible option for many.

The recent surge in gold prices means customers can now borrow more against the same pieces. For example, a pure gold necklace valued at $10,000 in 2023 is now worth around $22,000, allowing owners to unlock even more value while still holding on to their assets.

ALSO READ: Gold Prices Smash New Record—Here’s How to Invest in Gold in Singapore

That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond. 

This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.