A number of companies in China, including Dole, expressed interest to expand the lineup of fruits they import from the Philippines to include durian, according to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual in an interview with RTVM on the sidelines of the presidential state visit on January 5.
Dole has a presence in the Philippines and currently imports bananas and pineapples.
Pascual also said some of the Chinese companies that intend to import are also planning to invest in durian plantation.
One group is eyeing 3,000 hectares (ha) and another eyes 1,000 ha. He did not identify these companies.
Coconut processing has also generated interest from the Chinese firms.
China’s market for durian was opened with the signing of a pythosanitary protocol between the two countries.
Meanwhile, two fertilizer companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the DTI entity, the Philippine International Trading Corp. No details were provided.
