Philippines flies durian fruit to China after Marcos Beijing visit

THE agricultural agreement signed during Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos's Beijing state visit is now being implemented with the shipment of fresh durian last week by air.

"The deal is expected to gain US$260 million in revenue for the local durian industry," said the Department of Agriculture.

As part of the fruit deal the first batch of 28 tons of durian was shipped to China from the southern region of Mindinao last week, according to the department, reports the Philippine Star.

In a news release, the DA said the shipment of 28 tons of durian was sourced from producers and processors in Mindinao.

Exports of durian to China are among the many fruit export plans under the $2 billion bilateral agreement. The deal also covers the shipment of coconuts and bananas, among others, according to state-owned Philippine News Agency.

During the visit to China, the Philippine Department and China customs agreed on phytosanitary standards that certifies crops have been inspected.

Five packaging facilities and 58 durian farms have been approved by China. The department said an additional shipment was sent by air while 10 container vans with a combined weight of 7.2 tons were transported by sea

President Marcos told business leaders in January that durian growers from Davao - which produces 78 per cent of durian in the country - were ready to meet the demand of the Chinese market.