Chinoy biz group targets P110-B annual durian exports

The Durian Industry Association of Davao City and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. congratulated President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s “durian diplomacy,” saying it could bring up to P110 billion in annual exports of the tropical fruit.

In the latest Pandesal Forum in Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City, DIADC president Emmanuel Belviz and FFCCCII president Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong said President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of P8.24 billion durian export agreement on 4 January. But they said the demand for durian in China is higher.

Belviz said durian is a nutritious and delicious “king of tropical fruits.” Its entry as an export product to China shall uplift Mindanao rural farmers’ lives and boost Davao region tourism.

Dr. Bon Liong said the FFCCCII invited the durian farmers to dialogue with the media in Metro Manila because it supports more agriculture exports to China.

Thailand exports $4 billion or P220 billion pesos in durian to China every year. Dr. Lim urged the Philippines to target even half that huge volume or P110 billion in Philippine durian exports to China.

Dr. Lim thanked Marcos, Jinping, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, and other officials for greatly helping durian farmers of Davao in the Mindanao region.

“We should export more to China and attract more of their affluent Chinese tourists. We need to compete with our ASEAN and Asian neighbors for the vast China market,” the FFCCCII president said.

Dr. Bon Lion advocates agriculture development and pioneered Philippine hybrid rice technology.

“It is interesting to note that China is the world’s largest importer of durian. And in 2021, the top three fruits that China imported were the No. 1 durian, No. 2 cherry, and No. 3 banana. Thailand and Vietnam are already exporting fresh durian to China, and Cambodia is also exporting frozen durian. Now, it is the Philippines’ turn to export durian to China, so let us support our durian farmers. He expressed that we should support the government’s successful durian diplomacy to boost Philippine rural progress and economic growth,” he expressed.

Durian is a nutritious and delicious “king of tropical fruits.”