Nearly one metric ton of fresh durian and mangosteen headed to Canada, opening another potential market for the Philippines’ tropical fruits as the government steps up efforts to grow farm exports and chip away at a stubborn agricultural trade deficit.
A trial shipment of fresh fruit bound for Vancouver last September 23, consisted of 300 kilos of durian and 120 kilos of mangosteen for Canadian buyer Fresh Makers Ltd., represented by Jackson Ng.
Another shipment of 300 kilos of durian and 200 kilos of mangosteen departed for Toronto on September 24.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the shipment is the realization of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Department of Agriculture to find new destinations for Philippine farm products.
“The latest shipments of fresh durian and mangosteen is part of our broader effort of the Marcos administration to find new markets for local agricultural commodities to bolster farm incomes and sustain rural development.”
“The latest shipments of fresh durian and mangosteen is part of our broader effort of the Marcos administration to find new markets for local agricultural commodities to bolster farm incomes and sustain rural development,” Tiu Laurel said.
The Canadian shipments come as the DA pushes a wider export agenda covering high-value products such as durian, cacao, coffee, okra and other crops. The department has identified emerging commodities with export potential as it seeks to diversify the country’s farm export basket.
Undersecretary for High Value Export Crops and Agri-Fishery Export Development and Promotion Philip Young said the initiative reflects Tiu Laurel’s directive to turn market development into concrete opportunities for farmers and exporters.
“These shipments underscore our unwavering resolve to position Philippine produce at the forefront of international trade,” Young said.
“We continue to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares, and showcase the quality of our high-value crops.”
“We continue to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares, and showcase the quality of our high-value crops,” he added.
The push comes against the backdrop of an agricultural trade deficit that has exceeded $11 billion annually since 2022, according to the DA.
Tiu Laurel has said expanding exports is essential to redirecting more value toward Filipino farmers and rural communities.
The Canada-bound shipments also build on the exporter’s experience in France, where three air cargo shipments of fresh durian have already been completed, with weekly shipments continuing.
The fruits were flown to Canada on board Philippine Airlines flights.
Each new overseas buyer adds another potential sales channel for Philippine growers. But turning market access into sustained export growth will require reliable supply, competitive logistics, consistent quality and the production capacity to meet demand.
The fruit export to Canada is another test of the Philippines’ drive to build a broader, higher-value agricultural export industry.
