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The Philippines will begin exporting durian to China in March
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The initial volume is 7,500 metric tons from 59 different farmers across the country
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This follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China last month, where the administration secured $2.09 billion in purchase intentions for Philippine fruit exports
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Manila and Beijing agreed on a protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of durians from the Philippines to China
The Philippines will ship durian to China from March, Agriculture assistant secretary Arnel De Mesa said in a recent meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council in Malacañang.
De Mesa said ready for shipment is an initial volume of 7,500 metric tons of durian sourced from 59 farmers or producers covering some 400 hectares of production area.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ state visit to China last month opened the country’s agricultural products to Chinese importers, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry. On that trip, purchase intentions for Philippine fruit exports worth $2.09 billion were secured covering durian, coconut and bananas, among other fruits.
Manila and Beijing had agreed on a protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from the Philippines to China between the DA and China’s General Administration of Customs.
RELATED READ: Protocol signed for PH durian exports to China
During the state visit to China, Marcos said at least four companies had expressed their intention to purchase more Philippine tropical fruit products, especially durian.
The Davao region accounts for 78% of the country’s total durian production.
In 2021, total durian imports from Thailand amounted to $4 billion, more than triple the total Philippine agricultural exports to China in the same period.
Fresh fruits, including Cavendish bananas, are the top drivers for Philippine agricultural exports to China.
