THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) XI is waiting for the go signal from China to export frozen quality durian from the Philippines for the coming years.
DA XI regional director Abel James Monteagudo said the department, together with the Durian Industry Association of Davao City, was able to ship loads of durian “but only in its fresh form.”
“Right now, we are allowed to bring our durian there and they’re accepting it, dun sa fresh durian na form, which is the whole durian kasama ‘yung balat niya,” Monteagudo said.
He also shared the positive outlook of durian in China during the online press briefing of the Philippine delegation at this year’s 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai last November 5th to 10th, as the country is known to be the third largest durian consumer in the world.
“Lakas ng dating ng durian sa China, knowing na bago lang silang matutong kumain ng durian,” he said.
At the expo, the Philippines showcased the Puyat variety at the national pavilion to expand its market and attract more buyers in China.
According to the National Plant Quarantine Services Division of the Bureau of Plant Industry, 2,690 tons of fresh durian were exported to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the US.
Meanwhile, Davao City exported 5,442.78 tons of fresh and frozen durian to different countries from January to September 2023, a big jump compared to the 2,300 tons in 2022.
“Kung mabibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon, at mabigyan tayo ng go signal by China, it will be a game-changer in a sense that we can stack all our durian here, naka-frozen lang, hindi naman masisira ‘yun, at kung sakto sa teknolohiyang gagamitin natin,” he added.
Monteagudo also said three countries have currently been exporting frozen durian to China, an opportunity for the Philippines to catch up, as well. “We were told by the general manager of the trading hub that if we can produce the quality of durian that they need, we will buy. Basta quality siya, next na ‘yung volume,” he added.
