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DAVAO CITY: After opening the China market for fresh durian this year, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) is optimistic that quality frozen durian fruits will also enter the same country next year. In a press briefing Tuesday,
Abel James Monteagudo, the DA-11 regional director, underscored the importance of entering the durian commodity in the China market which he considered as a ‘breakthrough’ for the local durian.
‘We are hoping that apart from the fresh durian, our frozen durian products will also enter their market. Hopefully, the paperwork will be pushed through,’ he said.
He noted that the China market is asking for an unlimited supply of frozen durian, specifically the Puyat variety.
‘I was there during the biggest exposition of products that are supposed to be imported by China this year and witnessed their ‘bagsakan’ (agri-products wholesale and retail center) is very wide,’ he said.
In April this year, DA-11 shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China, the first shipment of th
e Puyat, D-101, Cob, and Duyaya varieties in the market.
Puyat has a beautiful yellow-orange coloration and a very thick, bitter-sweet flesh. It is one of the largest durians, recognizable by its large brown spikes, pear shape, and thick stem.
With the high demand for Davao durian in China, he said they need to improve their production and look for areas for expansion.
‘The game changer now is – if they will approve the agreement for our frozen durian,’ Monteagudo said, adding that there is an ample supply of durian in the local market.
Source: Philippines News Agency
