DFTC invites Durian Farmers to the Chinese market

The City Government of Davao is encouraging Durian farmers to coordinate with the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) for the export of durian to China.

Ms. Josephine Martin, DFTC Focal Person, told the Madayaw Program over the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio on Friday, that there is a high demand for durian in China. Durian farmers are encouraged to coordinate with traders in the facility to have their farms accredited.

“In the coming days naa na’y mupack diha og Durian for China, then farmers are ano very free to deliver their durian just coordinate with that group na mag-i-export so that their farms would be accredited kay kailangan man tong mga supply nga matrace sa farm no nga ma-encode because yon ang requirement ng China (In the coming days, there will be groups that will pack durian for China. The farmers are very free to deliver their durian. They just have to coordinate with the group that will export the products for their farms to be accredited since the supply needs to be traced back to their farms as it is one of China’s requirements),” she said.

The DFTC opened last October 2022, and has been partially operational since then. Martin said that they are now working to comply with the remaining requirements needed for the DFTC to be fully operational.

“We have still minimal operation because based on our IRR, there should be a building operator nga magdumala gyud anang DFTC, so we are in the process of selecting that building operator. We are also working on the crafting of amendments didto sa rates sa DFTC (We are still on minimal operation because, based on our IRR, there should be a building operator to manage the DFTC, so we are currently looking for a building operator. We are also working on the crafting of amendments to the rates of the DFTC),” Martin explained.

The complex also offers cold storage facilities but has yet to be opened to the public, since, according to Martin, they are still waiting for the ordinance from the Sanguniang Panlungsod regarding the amended rates of the facilities at the DFTC.

“Hopefully this year before mag November, magawas na to siya sa SP ang amendments namo sa 0706-19 nga ordinance (Hopefully before November of this year, the SP will release our amendments of Ordinance No. 0706-19),” she said.

Martin also encouraged farmers, especially those in remote areas, to contact the DFTC if they have available produce that they wanted to market because the DFTC will help them with the transport, as well as with finding buyers for their produce. Traders are also encouraged to do the same. Farmers and traders may reach the office through their landline at 221-5056. CIO