DAVAO CITY – A Davao-based exporter reported that durian exports from the Philippines to China fell sharply this year, to about five million kilos from 35 million kilos in 2022, representing a nearly 86 percent drop, primarily due to low farm productivity caused by extreme weather conditions.

Speaking at the “Business Matters” forum at Abreeza Mall on Thursday, Dec. 18, Durian Exporters Association of the Philippines president Larry Miculob admitted that 2025 has been a challenging year for the industry due to production losses linked to climate change.

Miculob said persistent rains between May and July caused durian trees across Mindanao to lose their flowering stage, significantly reducing fruit yield. He noted that while a minor harvest season occurs in February and March, the bulk of durian production takes place from August to November.

“Durian is highly weather-dependent. It has not been a good year for us, not because of the market, but because of production,” Miculob said, adding that they continue to push through despite the challenges to keep the industry moving forward and avoid being left behind in the market.

Miculob said the Chinese market remains largely untapped by Philippine exporters. He noted that most durian consumption in China is concentrated in the southern and eastern regions, with central and northern areas still largely unexplored due to logistical challenges.

“The market in China is huge. There is still a lot of potential, but logistics and production costs are major concerns,” he said, adding that exporters are now focusing on lowering production costs at the moment by improving farm productivity.

Miculob also said the Philippines is doing its best to coordinate with other countries aside from China, such as Korea and the Middle East, through the organization’s agricultural attachés to explore ways to improve market access.

The DEAP official said that the durian industry requires greater government support as well help to farmers. He noted that, unlike larger companies, most small farmers rely on limited resources, making it hard for them to increase production and compete in global markets.

Miculob said the Philippines has less than one percent of China’s durian market, which is controlled mainly by Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. However, opportunities exist for Mindanao exporters due to improved ties with China under former President Rodrigo Duterte, he added.

Davao durian debuted in the Chinese market with 18 metric tons shipped to Beijing in April 2023, following the signing of a bilateral agreement between the Philippines and China in January 2023 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Miculob said there are 21 registered durian exporters in Mindanao, while seven more are awaiting approval from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. Their commonly grown varieties include puyat, arancillo, cob, and chanee.

He said about 15,000 hectares across Mindanao are currently planted to durian trees, with farmers expanding to an additional 5,000 hectares. Expansion areas include former rubber plantations in the towns of Makilala and Arakan, as well as Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

Miculob also revealed that some banana farms affected by Fusarium wilt, also known as Panama disease, have shifted to durian production, particularly in San Isidro town and Panabo City in Davao del Norte, to aid in durian production.

“Durian planting has also expanded to the towns of Compostela, Montevista, Nabunturan, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro province, as well as Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City, Davao del Sur province,” Miculob said.

The durian exporter added that about 98 percent of durian production in the country comes from backyard farms, referring to small-scale growers cultivating fewer than 50 trees per hectare.

While China remains a priority market, Miculob noted, however, that the Philippines needs a more aggressive marketing strategy to compete with other neighboring countries that actively promote their durian in international markets.

Miculob also called for increased domestic consumption, noting that Filipinos consume an average of only about 600 grams of durian per person annually. He said raising local consumption to three kilos per person would already have a significant positive impact on the industry.