China Places $27 Million in Orders for Philippine Durian at CIIE 2026
Key Takeaways
- •Philippine durian producers obtained $27 million in orders from China through partnership agreements signed at the ninth China International Import Expo 2026.
- •The agreements were signed with Somago (Tianjin) Cross-border E-commerce, Eng Seng Food Products, and Maylong Enterprises Corp., covering both fresh and frozen durian.
- •The one-year deal with Somago and Eng Seng is valued at approximately $17 million and may be extended.
- •A separate $10 million agreement with Maylong covers frozen durian and remains in effect until November 2027.
- •The Department of Agriculture reported that subsequent exports of durian, eel, coconut, and frozen fruits have reached a combined P3.8 billion.
Philippine durian producers have obtained $27 million worth of orders from China through partnership agreements sealed at a recent trade exposition, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
At the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2026, the Philippines signed partnership deals with Chinese companies Somago (Tianjin) Cross-border E-commerce Co. Ltd., Eng Seng Food Products and Maylong Enterprises Corp. covering both fresh and frozen durian.
According to the DA, the one-year agreement with Somago and Eng Seng is valued at around $17 million and carries the possibility of an extension. The separate agreement with Maylong covers $10 million worth of frozen durian and runs until November 2027. The extension option and the November 2027 end date give the agreements defined checkpoints to follow as they take effect.
"This is what we came to CIIE for — to turn opportunities into actual business partnerships and open more markets for our agricultural products. 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," Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said.
The DA added that subsequent exports of durian, eel, coconut and frozen fruits have reached a combined P3.8 billion.
Durian, often referred to as the "king of fruits," is among the most sought-after tropical fruits in China, the world's largest durian import market. The Philippines gained official access to the Chinese market for fresh durian in early 2023, when Chinese authorities approved imports of the fruit, with the southern Davao region serving as the country's main durian-producing area. The CIIE, held annually in Shanghai since 2018, is one of China's largest import-themed trade expositions and has served as a venue for Philippine agribusiness firms to connect with Chinese buyers. Against that backdrop, the freshly signed agreements convert the market access secured in early 2023 into committed purchase volumes with named buyers, stated values and end dates.
The report was filed by Maria Mikaela H. Tormon of BusinessWorld.
Source: BusinessWorld Online — https://bworldonline.com/economy/2026/11/10/792941/china-places-27-million-in-phl-durian-orders/
