Philippines makes first shipment of durian, mangosteen to Canada

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is expanding its fruit exports to Canada following the shipment of fresh durian and mangosteen, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The DA said that about one metric ton of locally grown durian and mangosteen was shipped to Vancouver.

It consisted of 300 kilos of durian and 120 kilos of mangosteen for Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd. The fruits were flown to Canada on board Philippine Airlines.

Another shipment of 300 kilos of durian and 200 kilos of mangosteen departed for Toronto on Sept. 24.

“The latest shipment of fresh durian and mangosteen is part of the Marcos administration’s broader effort to find new markets for local agricultural commodities to bolster farm incomes and sustain rural development,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Tiu Laurel added that expanding exports is essential to redirecting more value toward Filipino farmers and rural communities.

For his part, DA Undersecretary Philip Young said the agency continues to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares and showcase the quality of the country’s high-value crops.

“These shipments underscore our unwavering resolve to position Philippine produce at the forefront of international trade,” Young added.

The Canadian shipments come as the DA announced that Philippine Carabao mangoes have entered the Canadian market, following a maiden commercial shipment on Sept. 18.

The agency had earlier said that it has identified emerging commodities with export potential as the government seeks to diversify its farm export pool and reduce the country’s $11 billion agricultural trade deficit.

Among the products being pushed are durian, cacao, coffee and okra.