Two export agreements could expand the Chinese market for Philippine durian, but the bigger test is whether rising demand translates into better incomes and more stable markets for local growers.
DAVAO CITY (November 11) — Two Davao-based agricultural companies have secured $27 million in trade agreements with a Chinese buyer, signaling stronger prospects for Philippine durian exports as China’s demand for the tropical fruit continues to grow.
The agreements involve Eng Seng Food Products and Maylong Enterprises Corp., which signed separate supply arrangements with Somago (Tianjin) Cross-border E-commerce Co. Ltd., according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Eng Seng secured a $17-million annual strategic cooperation agreement covering November 2026 to November 2027, with provisions for possible expansion depending on market conditions.
The company operates across durian cultivation, processing and cold-chain exports, with partnerships involving approximately 2,000 farmers.
Maylong, meanwhile, signed a frozen durian procurement agreement targeting $10 million in annual purchases from November 2026 to October 2027.
The combined $27-million value represents a significant commercial opportunity for the local durian industry, potentially encouraging investments in farms, processing facilities and cold-chain infrastructure.
But the economic impact will depend on how much of the export expansion reaches the farmers who supply the fruit, particularly small growers who must meet buyers’ quality, volume and delivery requirements.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said stronger overseas demand could improve farmers’ incomes while helping narrow the country’s widening agricultural trade deficit.
“By expanding overseas markets, we are not only strengthening the country’s agricultural trade position through higher export earnings but also encouraging much-needed investments in the agriculture sector,” he said.
The latest agreements build on the Philippines’ participation in the 2025 China International Import Expo (CIIE), which generated P920.58 million in booked sales and subsequently led to P3.8 billion in agricultural export transactions involving durian, eels, young coconuts and frozen fruits.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the agreements demonstrate the government’s effort to convert international trade exhibitions into actual commercial partnerships.
“This is what we came to CIIE for—to turn opportunities into actual business partnerships and open more markets for our Filipino agricultural products,” she said.
The Philippine delegation to this year’s exhibition includes 30 exhibitors showcasing durian, bananas, pineapples, coconuts and other agricultural products to prospective Chinese buyers.
Beyond the export figures, the challenge is making the durian boom inclusive and sustainable. More overseas orders will require reliable farm production, consistent quality standards, adequate processing capacity and efficient transport systems.
For Davao’s durian growers, the real measure of success will not simply be the value of contracts signed in China, but whether these translate into better farm-gate prices, dependable purchasing arrangements and more secure livelihoods.
