The maiden exportation of fresh durian from Davao to China on April 6, 2023 is seen to boost revenues for durian farming.
Durian farmer Jose D. Cubol, board director of the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) and agrarian reform beneficiary of the Department of Agrarian Reform 11 (DAR 11), said exporting durian to China will help him boost his income as the durian that will be sent to China is bought from them for P85 per kilo compared to P10 to P15 per kilo he sells to local traders for the local market.
The durian exportation to China commenced with a ceremonial sending off of 18 metric tons at the Davao International Airport Cargo section.
Cubol, who owns a 28-hectare of durian plantation in Calinan District, said 20 tons of his durian of Puyat variety is among those being sent to China.
“Ang pasok na variety for export ay Puyat, D101, Tuyaya, kana ang pasok na demand sa China. Continues na ni ang among pagpapadala. Kinahanglan pa mag expand para ma meet ang demand. Dako kaayo ni ug tabang sa mga farmers kay tung wala pa export maabot ug P10 to P15 lang per kilo sa amoa sa market. Sa amoa P85 per kilo for fresh durian ang kuha sa amoa. Starting pa lang na. Average sa per hectare namo na ma-harvest is 15 tons per hectare,” he said in an interview.
Councilor Marissa Abella, chairperson of the Davao City Council Committee on Food and Agriculture, said that her committee is working with the farmers to produce good quality and world-class durian.
“Davao City is like a province. It’s not like an urban area only. Naa mi dagko na bukid like in Paquibato area, Calinan, Toril, and Mandug District of which are 300 meters above sea level na didto mutubo ang atong durian. That is my assignment for the good quality and world-class durian,” Abella said in her message during the send-off.
Marila L. Corpuz, technical director for operations of the Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11), disclosed that DA 11 is now looking into an expansion area to maintain the production of durian to meet the demand in China.
“We have so much demand in China. We are looking into an expansion area and we will partner with some investors to invest in production to maintain the yield. Today, we will be shipping 18 MT to China and that is only the beginning, and more durian stakeholders will be partnering with us,” Corpuz said.
Corpuz said DA 11 received a notice from China on April 3, 2023 announcing the approval of the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Durians to China, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January this year during his meeting with Chinese officials led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
DA 11 director Abel James Monteagudo lauded the DIADC for their efforts in contributing to the steadfast development of the country by continue planting and producing durian.
“The first shipment contains 18 metric tons of fresh durian and we are hopeful that more locally produced fruits, including coconut and bananas, are to be shipped to China in the coming months,” he said.
He also said that DA 11 is also working on a five-year development plan for the durian industry that will intensify technical support and the provision of quality planting materials, fertilizer, pesticide, equipment, and tools as well as the establishment of post-harvest facilities.
The ceremonial send-off was witnessed by Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Governor Emmylou ‘Lala’ J. Talino-Mendoza of the Province of Cotabato, Abella, members of the DIADC, Chinese investors and buyers, officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform 11, and other government agencies.
Meanwhile, Magno promised to listen to the concerns of the durian farmers to continue the growth of the durian industry.
“The best variety of durian comes from Mindanao. I would like to congratulate everyone. I would also like to find out what other things we can help with (for this booming industry). It is good to have a maiden flight but the secret is sustainability,” he said.
Magno said that the best way to achieve sustainability in any endeavor is the correct, consultative, and concessions partnership between the government and the private sector.
