The Philippines targets to gain the same dominance in durian that it enjoys in bananas in China, according to Ceferino Rodolfo, undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Philippines is the top exporter of bananas to China.
For Rodolfo, this is an example of how the Philippines can maximize the opportunities presented by the strong interest of China in trade and investments in the Philippines despite the territorial dispute between the two.
“What is important is that (these opportunities) are mutually beneficial,” said Rodolfo in a press briefing on Tuesday night.
Rodolfo said on the economic trade and investment side, the fundamentals of each China’s and of the Philippines’ position in the global value chain and complementation of comparative advantage are very strong.
“This leads to a strong interest in investments and trade. We intend to maximize fully all of the opportunities,” he added.
Rodolfo was in Nanning, China to attend the 20th China-Asean Expo where the 15 Filipino exhibitors generated sales of $8.68 million.
Bestsellers included durian, banana chips and calamansi.
According to Rodolfo, prospects are positive for durian as Chinese buyers are willing to pay premium for the fruit, at times seven times higher than Philippine prices.
The first shipment of durian from Davao to Nanning was made in April after Beijing and Manila signed in January an agreement providing market access for the fruit.
The Philippines accounts for 90 percent of China’s imports of bananas.
As of the first half of the year, the country exported 365.41 million kilograms (kg) of bananas to China.
In the same period, durian exports to China stood at 481,471 kg, The Chinese durian market is dominated by Thailand which exported 600.78 million kg and Vietnam, 187.09 million kg. Irma Isip
