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The Department of Agriculture is preparing to expand production of durian among other high-value crops
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The move follows the recent state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in China, where the Philippines secured a $2-billion fruit export deal
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DA said China has a purchase commitment for durian worth $260M
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The Philippines and China recently signed the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China”, which opens up the Chinese market for fresh durian
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to expand production of durian among other high-value crops following the recent state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in China, the agency said in a statement.
In that visit, a $2-billion fruit export deal was secured. DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the Philippines was also identified as one of China’s sources of durian, and has been allocated “$260 million initially to start off the project from the Philippines.”
Chinese companies including Dole (Shanghai) Fruits and Vegetables Trading Co., Ltd/Dole China, Prestige International Co. Ltd., Shanghai Goodfarmer Group, and the Dashang Group have already made durian purchase commitments worth $260 million for 2023, DA said.
Panganiban and assistant secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa recently directed concerned Regional Executive Directors (REDs) to identify areas for expansion and formulate the work and financial plans needed to sustain durian exports.
In coordination with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the High Value Crops Development Program led by director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, the Regional Field Offices will also conduct capacity-building activities, ensure the production of market preferred varieties, develop packing houses, and assist in marketing.
Panganiban also committed that the BPI will provide support in accreditation, PhilGAP (Philippine Good Agricultural Practices) certification, and protocol implementation, among others. The REDs are expected to present their action plans in the next DA Operations Management Group meeting.
On January 4, the Philippines and China signed the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China”, which opens up the Chinese market for an estimated amount of 50,000 metric tons of fresh durian.
The durian will initially be exported from the list of registered farms in major durian production areas of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato. The project is expected to generate at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
