"Durian diplomacy", an agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and China that was signed during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Beijing, has now started.
The Philippines shipped to China on April 6 the first batch of durian through Davao International Airport.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), it was a 28-ton cargo—weighing approximately 28,000 kilos of durian—that had been sent after being sourced from producers and processors in Mindanao, particularly in Region 11.
The shipment passed the stringent requirements of the General Administration Customs of China (GACC), it added.
Another shipment of about 28 tons will follow through airfreight, while 10 container vans loaded with a total 7.2 tons will be transported via sea vessel, PCO also said.
In a Facebook post, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said it was a "great pleasure" for him to witness the first shipment of Philippine durian to China.
"The Protocol of the Philippine Durian’s Export to China was signed last January. Only within three months, both sides worked day and night to finish all the compliance procedures and make the farmer’s dream come true today!" he said.
"We honor our words to the Filipinos with actual action. Congratulations!" he added.
Before Marcos' visit to China in January, Manila announced that the President would boost the "durian diplomacy" with Beijing, considering that Chinese people have "a voracious appetite for durian."
"I believe the durian trade can truly benefit our two peoples!" Huang said.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in February said it is expecting to generate around $150 million worth of revenue when the exportation of the durian to China starts. Meanwhile, the PGO pegged the income at $260 million.
Before exportation, PCO said the GACC released the list of qualified facilities and farms that received the green light from the Chinese government. It consists of five packaging facilities and 58 durian farms.
After the signing of "Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durian from the Philippines to China" in January, Manila started doing preparatory measures, according to PCO.
"Under his administration, President Marcos is committed to implement strategies to ensure high-quality fruits for export. The DA continues to provide assistance to durian growers including logistical and financial support under the Enhanced KADIWA Grant," PCO said.