The Philippines may generate around $150 million or about P8.3 billion worth of revenue from its initial durian exports to China next month, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, BPI director officer-in-charge Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the export volume is still subject to the actual production from durian-producing areas.

“This depends on the good quality production and of course our compliance to the requirements of the government of China,” he said in Filipino.

Panganiban said the country is set to export an initial volume of 50,000 metric tons of durian.

“Mainly our production will come from Davao Region. As of now, we already have 59 registered farms, five licensed packing facilities and five licensed exporters already endorsed to the government of China,” he said.

Panganiban said the country will submit audit videos this week as it complies with China’s requirements.

Under the durian export program to China, the country expects at least P240 million in revenue.

“We are expecting to increase this amount because our farms are expanding and they are upscaling their production to comply with the requirements of China,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BPI said that besides China, the Philippines has been exporting durian to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE