DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 December) – Durian exports to China decreased to only 5 million kilos this year from 35 million kilos last year, representing a drop of 85.7% an exporter based in Davao City said.
Larry Miculob, president of the Durian Exporters Association of the Philippines (DEAP) told “Business Matters” forum at the Abreeza Mall on Thursday that 2025 has “not been a good year” for the industry due to the low productivity of durian farms across Mindanao caused by extreme weather events brought about by climate change.
He said durian production, which he described as an “emerging commodity” due to its growing market abroad, is dependent on weather.
Miculob said durian trees lost their fruiting flowers due to the rains between May and July this year.
According to Miculob, the small harvest season for durian begins in February and March, but the bulk of production occurs from August to November.
“It’s hard, but we have to continue. Otherwise, we’ll be left out of the picture. It has not been a good year for us—not because of the market, but because of production,” he said.
He said the Philippines’ market share in China is less than 1%.
The Chinese market is dominated by produce coming from Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, he added.
Even though the Philippines lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, Miculob said there are still significant opportunities for Mindanawon exporters in China.
He believes this is largely due to the good relations established by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte with the Chinese government.
In April 2023, farmers exported 18 metric tons of fresh durian from Davao to Beijing, marking the first time locally grown durian entered the Chinese market.
This came months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a bilateral agreement with the People’s Republic of China in January of that year.
There are currently 21 registered durian exporters in Mindanao, while seven others are still pending registration with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), he said.
Miculob said a total of 15,000 hectares have been planted with durian trees across several areas in Mindanao.
But he noted that durian farmers have expanded to an additional 5,000 hectares.
Varieties usually grown by local farmers are puyat, arancillo, cob, and chanee, he said.
He said areas for expansion included lands previously planted with rubber trees in municipalities of Makilala and Arakan, as well as the City of Kidapawan in North Cotabato.
He said banana farms affected by the dreaded Fusarium wilt, or Panama disease, have also started planting durian, particularly in San Isidro Municipality and
Panabo City in Davao del Norte.
Miculob added that farmers in Compostela, Montevista, Nabunturan, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro, as well as those in Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City, Davao del Sur, are likewise planting durian.
He said at least 98% of locally produced durian comes from backyard farms, referring to farmers who grow less than 50 trees per hectare. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
