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The Philippines is testing the Canadian market for more fresh tropical fruits, with nearly one metric ton of durian and mangosteen shipped to Vancouver and Toronto
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The first shipment is bound for Vancouver on September 23, while the second is scheduled to leave for Toronto on September 24
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The Canada shipments build on the exporter’s experience in France, where three fresh durian air shipments have been completed, and weekly service continues
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The fruits were transported to Canada aboard Philippine Airlines flights
The Philippines is testing the Canadian market for more fresh tropical fruits with nearly one metric ton of durian and mangosteen shipped to Vancouver and Toronto as the government seeks to expand agricultural exports and reduce the country’s farm trade deficit.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the first shipment, which departed for Vancouver on September 23, 2026, consisted of 300 kilos of durian and 120 kilos of mangosteen for Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd., represented by Jackson Ng.
Another shipment containing 300 kilos of durian and 200 kilos of mangosteen is scheduled to depart for Toronto on September 24.
READ: PH expands Canada market for Carabao mangoes
Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the shipments support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to find new markets for Philippine agricultural products.
“The latest shipments of fresh durian and mangosteen is part of our broader effort of the Marcos administration to find new markets for local agricultural commodities to bolster farm incomes and sustain rural development,” Tiu Laurel said.
The Canada shipments form part of the DA’s broader agricultural export drive covering high-value commodities such as durian, cacao, coffee and okra, among other crops.
The department has identified emerging commodities with export potential as it seeks to diversify the country’s agricultural export basket.
“These shipments underscore our unwavering resolve to position Philippine produce at the forefront of international trade,” Agriculture undersecretary for high value export crops and agri-fishery export development and promotion Philip Young said. “We continue to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares, and showcase the quality of our high-value crops.”
READ: PH-Canada trade negotiations continue with 3rd round set in July
The export push comes as the Philippines’ agricultural trade deficit has exceeded $11 billion annually since 2022, according to the DA.
Tiu Laurel has said expanding agricultural exports is essential to directing more value toward Filipino farmers and rural communities.
The Canada shipments also build on the exporter’s experience in France, where three air cargo shipments of fresh durian have already been completed, with weekly shipments continuing.
The fruits were transported to Canada aboard Philippine Airlines flights.
The trial shipments open another overseas market for Philippine growers and exporters, but sustained growth requires reliable supply, competitive logistics, consistent quality and enough production capacity to meet demand.
