Philippines starts exporting durian to China

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines started exporting fresh durian to China during the Holy Week as part of the $2-billion fruit export deal sealed between Manila and Beijing in January, Malacañang said yesterday.

The first batch of about 28 tons of durian was sent to China through the Davao International Airport on Thursday, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Another 28 tons of durian were scheduled for delivery via airfreight yesterday, while 10 containers loaded with a total of 7.2 tons would be transported via sea vessel, it said. President Marcos concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The durian was sourced from producers and processors in Mindanao, particularly in Region 11, that passed the stringent requirements of the General Administration Customs of China (GACC), the PCO said.

Prior to the first batch of export, the GACC released the list of qualified facilities and farms that received the green light from the Chinese government. This consists of five packaging facilities and 58 durian farms.

The agreement on a protocol for phytosanitary requirements for the export of durian to China was signed by the DA and China’s General Administration of Customs during Marcos’ state visit to Beijing in January.

Following the signing of the deal, the DA commenced the preparatory measures, including the extension of support to durian growers and processors that enabled them to meet the protocol requirements.

The Bureau of Plant Industry, an attached agency of the DA, also assisted in the accreditation of durian growers.

The deal is expected to gain $260 million or P14.3 billion in revenue for the local durian industry, the PCO said.

The President has committed to implement strategies to ensure high-quality fruits for export, it said.

The DA continues to provide assistance to durian growers, including logistical and financial support under the Enhanced KADIWA Grant, it said.