Post-harvest handling and quality control issues have been identified as key challenges in the exportation of durians, particularly to China. Emmanuel Belviz, president of the Davao City Durian Industry Council (DCDIC), discussed these challenges during the Business Matters media forum. He highlighted the logistical and technical problems encountered since the initiation of durian shipments in 2023.
The National Durian Summit, scheduled for October 23 to 24 at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City, aims to address these issues. The summit expects to attract 250 to 300 participants from various sectors nationwide, with a focus on training in pre-harvest to post-harvest practices. The event will also feature insights from both international and local durian experts, offering a platform for knowledge exchange in durian production.
Davao has expanded its durian export markets to 12 countries, including New Zealand and Taiwan, with China being the largest market. Durian production in Davao reached 60,331.33 metric tons in 2023, an increase from the previous year. Davao City leads in production within the region.
More than 16 authorized durian exporters in the Philippines are in the process of applying for the "China Import Food Enterprises Registration" (CIPER) certification, which is necessary for exporting frozen durian goods to China. This step is crucial for maintaining and expanding the durian export market.
Source: Sunstar