Philippine Durian Reigns Supreme at 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai
Philippine Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz (2nd from Left) promotes Philippine durian during the live broadcast of the “CIIE Ground Breakers – Food Needs Prompt Big Trade” episode conducted by Chinese state media CGTN on 04 November 2023 in Shanghai. (Photo courtesy of CGTN)
SHANGHAI 20 November 2023 – Philippine durian takes center stage at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) scheduled on 05-10 November 2023 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The Philippines is participating in this year’s CIIE, which is considered as the world’s largest import fair.
Philippine Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Jaime A. FlorCruz highlighted the succulent qualities of Philippine durian being imported into China during the live streaming broadcast of the “CIIE Ground Breakers – Food Needs Prompt Big Trade” episode conducted by Chinese state media CGTN on 04 November 2023 at the Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub in Shanghai. The episode is a side activity in this year’s major CIIE event.
Hosted by CGTN news anchor Wu Bin, Ambassador FlorCruz was joined by Dole Fresh Produce Group President Makoto Sawanoi and Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China Director Jelena Grubor Stefanovićduring the live telecast featured in the CGTN media and digital platforms.
With the import of the first batch of Philippine durian into China in April this year, Ambassador FlorCruz accentuated that the Chinese consumers welcomed the Philippine durian due to its sweet and creamy taste, considering the Philippine version of “King of Fruit” as the best in the market. “Our Philippine durian is delicious, sweet, creamy, and tastes like gelato,” Ambassador FlorCruz remarked, adding that the “feilvbin liu lian” [菲律宾榴莲 / ”Philippine durian” in Chinese] has now entered the Chinese dining halls as well as the Chinese vocabulary.
The signing of the Protocol on the export of fresh Philippine durian to China during the State Visit to China of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on 04 January 2023 signaled the entry of Philippine durian to be imported from Davao. The Philippines is the third country to obtain market access for fresh durian after Thailand and Vietnam.
This year, the Philippines initially estimated to sell USD 150 million worth of fresh durian products to China. Tapping the durian market in Mainland China, which is worth more than USD 4 billion, entails the increase of production volumes and accreditation of more durian farms in the Philippines. Ambassador FlorCruz emphasized that it is crucial for fresh Philippine durian to maintain high and consistent standards of quality, as well as supply stability in order to gain market share in China.
Full coverage of the episode can be accessed through the following link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-11-03/Live-CIIE-Ground-Breakers-Food-needs-prompt-big-trade-1oqVUVwT4dy/index.html. END
Poster of the “CIIE Ground Breakers – Food Needs Prompt Big Trade” episode featuring Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz (2nd from Left) as part of the show’s panelist. (Photo courtesy of CGTN)
For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.