The City Agriculturist's Office (CAgrO) reports that the number of durian exporters operating in Davao City has increased to 19, up from two to three exporters when shipments first began two years ago. According to CAgrO fruit and cacao focal person Fe Oguio, the expanded exporter base has reduced processing bottlenecks but has also increased competition for available volumes.
Oguio noted that the increase presents both challenges and opportunities. Farmers now have more options for delivering fruit, reducing waiting times at processing plants. She said, "Before, the lines at the plants were very long because only three were operating, but now, there are many."
Support from the local government and the Department of Agriculture has focused on strengthening farmer groups, cooperatives, and associations. Funding has been directed toward farm expansion, rehabilitation, training, and inputs as part of efforts to build a more organised supply base for export.
Under a bilateral agreement with China, Davao City can export up to 52,000 metric tons of durian per year. As of November 2025, exporters had shipped around 20,000 metric tons. National production is estimated at 78,000 metric tons, although not all fruit qualifies for export due to quality requirements. Processing plants implement strict grading to ensure export-quality consistency.
Oguio reported that lower production volumes this year have affected total export shipments. She said, "In 2024, plants could produce one container van per day. This year, it takes longer, and some smaller plants have temporarily stopped operations due to the low volume."
Export volumes rose in recent years. From January to September 2023, Davao City exported 5,443 metric tons of fresh and frozen durian, up from 2,300 metric tons in 2022. This included 2,691 metric tons of fresh durian shipped to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the United States, and 2,752 metric tons of frozen durian exported to Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, and the U.S.
From January to September 2024, exports increased to 9,351 metric tons, nearly double the previous year. Of this, 9,295 metric tons were fresh durian were shipped to China.
CAgrO reports that higher prices and reduced local supply this year are linked to lower production. Oguio stated that after last year's large harvest, trees naturally produced fewer fruits, with output at roughly 30 percent of the previous season.
Source: SunStar
