Vendors: Durian production is lower this year
VOLUME of durian production in Davao City this year is expected to be fewer as compared to last year's.
According to the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), last year’s durian production in the entire Davao Region reached up to 53,805.71 metric tons. Out of this number, about 69 percent is coming from Davao City, or around 37,181.04 metric tons.
This year, durian vendors at Magsaysay Fruit Stand said they have noticed the big difference of production of durian compared to the same time last year.
“This might be because of the recurring change in season. I am estimating about 30 percent less production. Some of the durian fruits had already fallen off the tree. This could be because of frequent transition of season from too much rain and sun, then rain again,” said Roger Malali in vernacular, a fruit vendor outside Magsaysay Park. He said he sources out his durian from plantations in Calinan District and Toril.
“The decrease in production was not only told to us by our suppliers but we really saw it because we are visiting the plantations. There are really less fruit in the trees,” said Jocelyn Reguso, another fruit vendor in Magsaysay Fruit Stand.
Malali said there will absolutely be durian in time for Kadayawan but it will not be as abundant as last year.
Last year, they were able to sell about 10 tons
of durian for the entire month of August but said she could not say whether or not they will be able to reach the same amount this year.
According to Reguso, who also sources out her durians from Calinan, this decrease in fruit production is not only seen for durian but also for all the other fruits as well including pomelo, lanzones, and rambutan as well. This, she said, is in comparison to their last year’s production and supply.
Reguso said usual influx of Kadayawan Festival tourists visiting their fruit stands start on the 15th of August and last until the end of the highlights of the festival which is usually around the 19th to the 20th. JPA