For the first time, around PHP8.2 million worth of frozen durian meat and durian paste have been successfully exported to China, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

This is in line with the target of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to boost local productivity, fortify the country’s presence in the global market, and ensure food security.

“From the fertile soils of (the) Davao Region to China’s bustling markets, our frozen durian represents the hopes and dreams of countless farmers. This achievement showcases what we can accomplish through shared vision and purpose,” DA-Field Office Davao Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga said in a statement.

In particular, 1,050 boxes of frozen durian meat and 300 boxes of durian paste were shipped to Nansha District, Guangzhou, China on Feb. 11.

The historic first export came after the People’s Republic of China’s General Administration of Customs approved the export of frozen durian products through a Davao-based company, Maylong Enterprises Corporation.

For her part, Maylong’s Enterprises Corporation chief operating officer May Li vowed to continue supporting durian farmers through global linkages.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between local farmers and the global stage, ensuring that Philippine durian earns the recognition it truly deserves,” she said.

Plant Quarantine Service Port of Davao officer-in-charge regional manager Flor de Hasmin Bayo also commended their efforts to meet China’s stringent measures.

“This achievement would not have been possible without their unwavering commitment to excellence and compliance,” Bayo said. (PNA)