September 19, 2023 | Philippine News Agency|
During the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, China, the "Puyat" variety of Philippine durian fruit became the top-selling commodity. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines is eager to establish the country as a leading exporter of durian. The success of the durian, known for its sweetness and creaminess, mirrored that of bananas as an export commodity. At the trade expo, a kilo of fresh durian was sold for PHP700 (90 renminbi), far higher than the PHP100 to PHP125 per kilo in Davao City. The first shipment of durian to China occurred in April after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit, with Nanning as the entry point. Eng Seng Food Products, the first company to export durian products to China, was among the CAEXPO exhibitors. The Philippines views China-ASEAN cooperation as crucial for economic partnership and development, and Tuguegarao is exploring potential investments in solar power, real estate, and knowledge management following their participation in CAEXPO.