Davao to send its first shipment of durian to China on April 6
The first shipment of durian from Davao to China is about to take off!
By Yvette Tan
The first shipment of durian from Davao to China is about to take off!
Tons of durian waiting to be shipped to China. (Abel Monteagudo/ Facebook)
Abel Monteagudo, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI in Davao City [posted a video](https://www.facebook.com/100016537477666/videos/pcb.1343014392926464/676567930893588/?type=3&theater) and some photos on his personal Facebook account last April 4, 2023 about this historic occasion. [
Tons of durian waiting to be shipped to China. (Abel Monteagudo/ Facebook)
Abel Monteagudo, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI in Davao City [posted a video](https://www.facebook.com/100016537477666/videos/pcb.1343014392926464/676567930893588/?type=3&theater) and some photos on his personal Facebook account last April 4, 2023 about this historic occasion. [
READ: Anticipation builds as the Philippines readies to begin exporting durian to China
](https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/17/anticipation-builds-as-the-philippines-readies-to-begin-exporting-durian-to-china) “We’re here in a part of Calinan, Davao City. Calinan is the… number one source of durian. It produces the most number of durians in the whole region and the whole country,” he said, switching between Tagalog and English. “We’re here in a plant in Calinan where tons of durian are being boxed and packed to be shipped to another country, specifically China.” He added that President Bongbong Marcos signed a trade agreement with China last January 2023 to make durian an export product, and that the first shipment would take place in 48 hours, roughly on April 6. “We’re going to send our first batch of durian to China,” he said. “What we’re sending will not go below 15,000 tons.” He gave viewers a short tour of the packing facility, detailing the amount of work and effort the packers and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) inspectors have been putting in to make sure that the first shipment is a success. This particular facility has been working overnight to pack 1500 boxes of durian. The durian will be sent to China via chartered flight. “It is hoped that these [durians]... will be a signal that will start the chain of durians from Davao to China,” he said. “And it is hoped that [it]... will result in better prices that will be enjoyed by farmers and sellers and of course, the bottom line is a better life for our farmers.” [Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph](https://www.agriculture.com.ph/)