This was bared by Agriculture Councilor to China Ms. Ana Abejuela during the dialogue with Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) yesterday in Calinan Davao City, referring to the upcoming first shipment of Philippine fresh durian export to China this coming 2nd or 3rd week of March this year.

She emphasized that the first shipment is critical since it will determine the impressions of the China buyers to the quality of the Philippine fresh durian and it will surely affect the succeeding shipments.

“It is very important and critical that our first shipment of fresh Durian to China will be of good quality. First impression lasts”, Abejuela said.

She added that the experience of other countries should not be experienced by the Philippines.

“There was one country whose first shipment of fresh durian to China was not good so the consumers now says that fresh durian fruits from this country is not good at all,” she said.

Agriculture Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo said that in preparation for the March, 2023 shipment, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-XI) is now closely monitoring the farms identified as exporters to China through the High Value Commercial Crops Program (HVCDP) together with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

“We will be monitoring fruit bearing trees to be harvested this coming March to assure good quality durian fruits that will be sent out as our first shipment”, Monteagudo said.

Together with Ms. Abejuela are other Agriculture Attaches, which include Agriculture Attaché to Japan Mr. Jose Laquian, Agriculture Attaché to South Korea Ms. Maria Alilia Maghirang, and Agriculture Attaché to Middle East and Africa Ms. Nolet Fulgencio.

The purpose of their visit is to monitor the status of preparations of durian farms accreditations as well as observe farm protocol to ensure that the products that will be exported to China will suit not only to the taste but will also meet the expectations of China buyers.

Farms visited include Belviz durian farm and the Durian facilities of Eng-Seng farm. Via Eve Deligero and Ronell Tangonan of RAFIS-XI

Red Abel James Monteagudo Marila Lucernas, Andy Alemania Sj Doble DA AMAD XI

Credit to Agri Info Davao Facebook Page