In 2023, the Davao Region maintained its position as the leading durian producer in the Philippines, with a cultivation area spanning 16,600 hectares and 1.3 million trees. This area produced a total of 78,800 metric tons of durian, as highlighted by Emmanuel Belviz, President of the Durian Industry Association of Davao City. At the National Durian Summit, Macario Gonzaga, the Director of the Department of Agriculture for Davao Region, emphasized the export potential of durian, advocating for adherence to the highest standards of quality and food safety to meet international demand.
The summit, which attracted 300 participants, delved into topics such as market expansion, farming practices, and establishing business connections. According to Belviz, the Philippines is currently the fourth largest exporter of durian globally, holding a market share of 0.306 percent. In the previous year, the country exported 4,971 metric tons of fresh durian, generating USD12.2 million in revenue from markets including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, the United States, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Norway, with China accounting for 89 percent of these exports. Gonzaga highlighted the importance of capitalizing on the growing demand, especially from China, by ensuring Philippine durian aligns with international quality and safety standards.
Source: Philippine News Agency