Philippine durian and mangosteen make fresh push into Canada

Nearly 1 metric ton of tropical fruit is being shipped to Vancouver and Toronto as the Philippines looks to expand farm exports.

The Philippines is testing a new market for its tropical fruits as fresh durian and mangosteen shipments head to Canada, giving local growers another potential outlet beyond their established export destinations.

The trial shipments total 920 kilos, with 300 kilos of durian and 120 kilos of mangosteen bound for Vancouver on September 23, followed by another 300 kilos of durian and 200 kilos of mangosteen bound for Toronto the next day.

The shipments are being sold to Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd., with the fruits flown on Philippine Airlines flights.

The move comes as the Department of Agriculture (DA) looks for new markets for high-value crops, including durian, cacao, coffee, and okra, as the government tries to expand farm exports.

It also supports the country’s efforts to address the large agricultural trade deficit, which the DA said has exceeded $11 billion annually since 2022.

Finding overseas buyers could give Filipino farmers additional markets for their produce, potentially allowing more of the value generated from agricultural exports to flow back to farming communities.

The Canada shipments also build on the exporter’s experience in France, where three air cargo shipments of fresh durian have already been completed, with weekly shipments continuing.

But getting fruit into a new country is only the first step, as sustained exports will depend on whether Philippine growers and exporters can consistently supply the volume, quality, and pricing that foreign buyers require.

Logistics will also matter, particularly for fresh fruits that need to reach consumers quickly while preserving their quality during air transport.

The Canada shipment’s success could determine whether Philippine durian and mangosteen can move from an experimental export opportunity into a regular market for local growers.

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