Durian from Davao farms makes its ways to China

Philippine durian producers secured a combined $27 million worth of business agreements with a Chinese buyer, creating new opportunities for locally grown produce to reach more consumers overseas.

The agreements were signed between Davao-based exporters Eng Seng Food Products and Maylong Enterprises Corp. and Somago (Tianjin) Cross-border E-commerce Co. Ltd. on Friday during the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2026.

Eng Seng signed a strategic cooperation agreement valued at $17 million annually, covering November 2026 to November 2027, while Maylong secured a frozen durian procurement deal with an annual target of $10 million for the same period.

Both companies are involved in durian cultivation, processing, and cold-chain exports, allowing them to supply fresh and frozen products to international markets.

Eng Seng has also established partnerships with around 2,000 farmers, connecting local growers to its production and export operations.

The deals strengthen the position of Philippine durian in China, where demand for the fruit has created opportunities for Southeast Asian producers.

The Department of Agriculture said the agreements demonstrated the government’s efforts to turn trade exhibitions into actual business partnerships for Filipino agricultural enterprises.

The Philippine delegation also opened a pavilion at the CIIE, featuring 30 exhibitors promoting locally produced goods, including bananas, pineapples, young coconuts, coconut-based products, and other agricultural commodities.

The latest agreements build on the country’s participation in the 2025 exhibition, where Philippine exhibitors generated ₱920.58 million in booked sales.

Subsequent agricultural export transactions involving durian, fresh eels, young coconuts, and frozen fruits reached a combined ₱3.8 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The new agreements could give more Filipino producers and farmers a chance to participate in the growing export market, although the annual values represent business targets rather than guaranteed completed sales.