WHILE durian is currently priced at P200 to P250 per kilogram at the Bankerohan Public Market, the Durian Council in Davao expects it to drop to really low prices as supply in the market increases.
Durian Council president Candelario Miculob said in a phone interview Tuesday, July 16, that they expect the price of durian to go as low as P50 per kilogram during Kadayawan, depending on their quality.
"Marami tayong supply, so walang problema," he said, pertaining to the supply of durian in the market.
Fruit vendors like Inmar Verad, however, said they are expecting a continuous decrease of fruit prices until August this year, especially for durian as they expect more supply due to its harvest season.
As the Kadayawan Festival 2019 nears, prices of selected fruits have started to drop and the trend is expected to continue until next month.
Mangosteen prices are currently as low as P100 per kilogram based on the price watch conducted by SunStar Davao on Tuesday, July 16, at Bankerohan Public Market. It is a 69.7 percent decrease from P330 per kilogram last month.
Marang is at P60 per kilogram from P70 per kilogram last month.
Prices of other fruits remain stable, like the rambutan at P100 per kilogram and pomelo at P120 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, Miculob said there is no need for monitoring of the prices of durian and other fruits during the festival as they already agreed or have set a retail price for vendors and consumers.
"Mayroon ding parang benchmark price for those processors. Actually, free market naman tayo," he said.
He said despite the demand of durian and other fruits during Kadayawan festival, the local market in Davao City will continue to supply other areas like Metro Manila.
"Hindi naman pwede na hindi natin i-supply ang ibang lugar kasi gi-develop natin ang market (we developed our market) na 'yun dahil nga doon sa saturation ng pag-produce natin sa locals," he said. (With reports from Lyka Amethyst H. Casamayor)