Eel export opens China door for Davao aquaculture

DAVAO CITY (March 23) — From local waters to Chinese tables, a two-ton shipment of Philippine eel has put the Davao Region on the global aquaculture map—marking the country’s first export of its kind to China.

Backed by the Department of Agriculture – Davao Region (DA-XI) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the breakthrough shipment left the cargo terminal of Davao International Airport on March 21, signaling a new trade lane for high-value Philippine seafood.

Worth about ₱461,991 ($7,696), the export was supplied by Maylong Enterprises Corporation and snapped up by China’s Runkong Foods—a first commercial foothold for Philippine eel in one of the world’s largest seafood markets.

Officials say the deal didn’t happen overnight. It traces back to the Davao Region’s push at the China International Import Expo 2025 in Shanghai, where exporters forged links with international buyers and tested global appetite for local products.

“This isn’t just a shipment—it’s proof we can meet global standards and deliver at scale,” said DA-XI Regional Executive Director Macario D. Gonzaga, pointing to the region’s rising role in export-ready aquaculture.

For BFAR, the priority now is sustaining momentum: tighter quality control, stronger production systems, and ensuring exporters meet strict international food safety rules.

The stakes are bigger than a single shipment. With global demand for eel surging, officials see a chance for Davao to carve out a niche in premium seafood—turning a pilot export into a pipeline.

If it holds, this first delivery could mark the start of a steady flow—positioning the region not just as a supplier, but as a serious player in the global seafood trade.