MANILA: The Philippines expanded its presence in the global market by making its first frozen durian shipment to China valued at P8.2 million (US$0.14 million).
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 20), the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Davao City-based company Maylong Enterprises Corp. delivered 1,050 boxes of frozen durian meat and 300 boxes of durian paste to Nansha District in Guangzhou.
Maylong Enterprises became the first Philippine enterprise that secure the approval of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China to supply frozen durian meat and paste to its country.
A previous report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations noted that China has been the main driver of global durian exports, as the East Asian country consumes more than 90 per cent of durian supply worldwide.
The DA said the shipment of durian, also known as king of fruits marked a “key moment” for the agriculture sector. It was shipped on Feb. 11 and is expected to arrive on Feb. 18.
“This historic shipment strengthens the Philippines’ presence in international markets, opening the door to future growth and solidifying the country’s reputation as a leading producer of world-class durian,” the DA said.
The Davao Region is the leading domestic producer of durian and accounts for more than two-thirds of total production based on the latest government data available.
“From the fertile soils of Davao Region to China’s bustling markets, our frozen durian represents the hopes and dreams of countless farmers,” said Macario Gonzaga, DA Region XI executive director. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
