Durian exporters awaiting China clearances to ship frozen durian

DAVAO CITY — Davao City Durian Industry Council President Emmanuel Belviz said on Friday that three exporters are awaiting the approval of their China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) prior to shipping frozen durian to China. 

Mr. Belviz, owner of Belviz Farms, said the exporters awaiting CIFERs are Eng Seng Food Products, SQ Fresh Fruit Corp., and D’ Farmers Market Fruits and Pastries Center.

CIFER is a primary requirement for businesses seeking to export food products to China.

“China approved and allowed the export of frozen fruits just last month. Marami na tayong exporters na nag-apply… (Many exporters have applied),” Mr. Belviz said.

Mr. Belviz said Thailand is currently the biggest buyer of frozen durian. The Philippines has exported around 3.13 million kilograms of frozen durian to Thailand this year, followed by South Korea with 185,664 kilograms and Malaysia 25,650 kilograms.

“The exporters are holding out (to send more) after the season,” he said.

Meanwhile, for fresh durian, Mr. Belviz said in the nine months to September, Davao durian exports to China topped 9,295 metric tons (MT). Singapore took in 55.70 MT and Japan 184.25 kilograms. 

“Durian season is still ongoing. We still have to harvest from high elevation areas like Tamayong and Sirib,” Mr. Belviz said.

He said China remains the most lucrative and biggest market for Davao durian.

In April 2023, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region shipped 18 metric tons of durian to China following the signing of a bilateral agreement governing shipments of Philippine fresh durian to China. The deal was signed during the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Jan. 3, 2023.

Meanwhile, Mr. Belviz said the upcoming National Durian Industry Summit on Oct. 23-24 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City is expected to address pressing issues for the Davao durian export trade.

Mr. Belviz said during the Business Matters media forum at Hukad, Abreeza Ayala Malls, that one of the issues exporters have encountered was rejection of durian shipments due to quality problems.

Mr. Belviz said the industry invited experts from Malaysia and Thailand to consult on boosting fruit quality.

Mr. Belviz added that the summit will also gather international speakers who will share best practices on durian production. — Maya M. Padillo