China to spend $260M for PHL durian–da
CHINA is set to purchase $260 million worth of durian from the Philippines this year, a deal negotiated by Manila during its recent bilateral talks with Beijing, according to the agriculture department.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed that four Chinese firms have committed to buy durian from the Philippines.
The commitment was part of the $2-billion fruit export deal secured by the Philippines from China during President Marcos Jr.’s recent state visit.
“One of the focal points of the discussion is the durian imports by China all over the world. We are pinpointed as one of the sources that China would like to avail from and they have allocated $260 million initially to start off the project from the Philippines,” Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said in a statement.
“We hope and anticipate that this will be a major breakthrough that we should avail of and hope that we should be able to maintain a good relationship with China in the long run.”
The four Chinese firms that would import Philippine durians are Dole (Shanghai) Fruits and Vegetables Trading Co., Ltd/dole China, Prestige International Co. Ltd., Shanghai Good farmer Group, and the Dashang Group.
Panganiban together with Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel V. De Mesa recently met with regional executive directors (REDS) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to discuss the necessary measures to fulfill the $260-million durian export deal.
During the meeting, Panganiban said he directed the REDS to “immediately” identify potential areas in their regions for expansion of durian production. Furthermore, they were instructed to “formulate necessary work and financial plans to sustain the durian export,” according to the DA.
“In coordination with the BPI and the High Value Crops Development Program [HVCDP] led by Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, the Regional Field Offices [RFOS] will also conduct capacity building activities, ensure the production of market preferred varieties, develop packing houses, and assist in marketing,” the DA said.
The DA said the BPI will also provide durian producers with support in terms of accreditation, Philippine Good Agricultural Practice certification, and protocol implementation, among others, to be able to meet export standards.
The DA noted that the Philippines and China signed last January 4 the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China.” The protocol paved the way for the opening of the Chinese market for an estimated amount of 50,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh durian.
“Initially, the durian will be exported from the list of registered farms in major durian production areas of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato. Moreover, the project is expected to generate at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs from the bilateral venture,” the DA said.
The Philippines exported 88,790 kilograms of fresh durian worth $183,038 from January to October last year, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
The volume was 77.17 percent lower than the 388,936 kg (worth $453,975) exported in the same period in 2021, PSA data showed.
The Philippines exports fresh durian to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Korea, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.