The country’s world-class tropical fruit durian and mangosteen are now bound for Canada as the Philippine government intensifies export expansion efforts.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move shows the administration’s direction to expand destinations for Philippine agricultural products, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“The latest shipments of fresh durian and mangosteen are part of our broader effort of the Marcos administration to find new markets for local agricultural commodities to bolster farm incomes and sustain rural development,” he said.

Tiu Laurel underscored the need for expansion, saying it is essential to direct more value to Filipino farmers and rural communities.

For his part, DA Undersecretary for High Value Export Crops and Agri-Fishery Export Development and Promotion Philip Young said new export opportunities capacitate local food producers and exporters to venture into the global market.

“These shipments underscore our unwavering resolve to position Philippine produce at the forefront of international trade,” he said.

“We continue to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares, and showcase the quality of our high-value crops.”

As of Wednesday, a trial shipment of 300 kilos of durian and 120 kilos of mangosteen is bound for Vancouver, consigned to Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd., represented by Jackson Ng.

The departure of another shipment of 300 kilos of durian and 200 kilos of mangosteen is set for Thursday, bound for Toronto.

The DA said the Canada-bound shipments were built on exporters’ experience in France, wherein three air cargo shipments of fresh durian have already been completed, with ongoing weekly shipments. (PNA)