Manila, Philippines — In a significant milestone for Philippine agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) proudly announces that fresh durian from the Philippines has gained official market access to Egypt.

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This development, confirmed on May 18, 2025, marks the successful conclusion of nearly two years of technical negotiations, pest risk assessments, and regulatory cooperation between the Philippines and the Arab Republic of Egypt. This reflects regulatory compliance and growing confidence in the country’s plant health and safety systems.

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To facilitate shipments, Philippine exporters must ensure that Egyptian importers obtain an import permit through the Egyptian Agricultural Quarantine’s electronic system. Once the permit is secured and all phytosanitary requirements are fulfilled, the Bureau of Plant Industry will issue a phytosanitary certificate verifying that the durian is pest-free. Only after these steps are completed can shipments to the Egyptian market proceed.

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The path to market access began in June 2023, when the Philippines formally expressed its intent to export fresh durian to Egypt. Since then, BPI has actively collaborated with Egypt’s Central Administration for Plant Quarantine (CAPQ), addressing key concerns related to pest surveillance, phytosanitary measures, and export protocols.

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In 2024, the Philippines exported 14,156.87 metric tons of fresh durian to various international destinations—a remarkable 199.23% increase from 2023—highlighting the growing global demand for Philippine durian. With Egypt now added to the list of importing countries, durian farmers, especially those in Mindanao—the heartland of Philippine durian—can look forward to expanded income and market opportunities.

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This breakthrough supports the DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr.’s broader goal to diversify and expand the country’s agricultural exports. Egypt also serves as a strategic gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where demand for tropical fruits continues to grow.

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The opening of this new market underscores the global competitiveness of Philippine durian and offers fresh opportunities for Filipino farmers and exporters to showcase world-class produce, increase earnings, and contribute to a more dynamic and resilient agricultural sector.

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This achievement aligns with the thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to modernize and globalize Philippine agriculture by empowering farmers, increasing productivity, and expanding access to international markets.

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(052825-43)