Eight exhibitors from the Davao Region generated USD1.5 billion in sales during the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) held Nov. 5-10, 2024, in Shanghai, China, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) said Wednesday.

DA-11 senior agriculturist Alexander Sibuan said the Chinese market was particularly impressed with durian from Davao, highlighting its sweet and creamy texture. “A survey conducted during the durian tasting revealed that 80 percent of participants loved Philippine durian,” Sibuan noted.

The local durian industry began gaining traction in April 2023, when DA-11 shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China, introducing varieties such as Puyat, D-101, Cob, and Duyaya to the vast Chinese market.

Chinese Commercial Consul Jin Jun, representing Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao, praised the growing agricultural ties between the two nations.

“The vast Chinese market presents significant opportunities for agricultural cooperation between China and the Philippines, particularly in the durian industry,” she said, adding that this partnership could boost durian production and farmer incomes in Davao.

On Tuesday, DA-11 conducted an evaluation of the region’s performance at the expo, identifying challenges such as standardizing durian quality, improving post-harvest practices, and enhancing business processes with tools like maturity detection equipment. (PNA)