MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday highlighted enhanced export opportunities with China as the Philippines secured USD27 million worth of deals for Davao-based frozen durian.
This comes after the country secured two business agreements with the Chinese firm Somago (Tianjin) Cross-border E-commerce Co. Ltd. during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2026 on Nov. 6.
In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said stronger export opportunities may both benefit farmers’ income and efforts to address the trade deficit in the country’s agriculture sector.
“By expanding overseas markets, we are not only strengthening the country’s agricultural trade position through higher export earnings but also encouraging much-needed investments in the agriculture sector,” he said.
For her part, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the two agreements show business opportunities through CIIE participation.
“This is what we came to CIIE for—to turn opportunities into actual business partnerships and open more markets for our Filipino agricultural products,” she said.
“Beyond showcasing what the Philippines can offer, we want to see our farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-enterprises benefit from meaningful trade agreements and increased export opportunities.”
In particular, the first agreement seeks to establish a strategic cooperation framework valued at USD17 million annually, from November 2026 to November 2027.
The deal, signed by Davao-based Eng Seng Food Products and Chinese firm Somago, allows the possible export volume hike in succeeding years through mutual negotiations considering market conditions.
To date, the Eng Seng integrated durian enterprise maintains partnerships with about 2,000 farmers and has successfully shipped fresh and frozen durian to China.
The Somago, likewise, signed the second agreement with Maylong Enterprises Corporation for the procurement of frozen durian, with an annual target purchase of USD10 million from November to Oct. 31, 2027
Maylong Enterprises has already secured the necessary qualifications to export frozen durian pulp to China.
The firm operates across cultivation, processing, exports and cold-chain logistics. (Stephanie Sevillano/PNA)
