THE Davao City Agriculturist’s Office (Cagro) said there would be ample durian this Kadayawan season, although it would not be as bountiful as last year.
Fe Oguio, Cagro fruit and cacao focal person, said that durian would not flood the market, but it is expected to be available until March 2026. She explained that due to constant rainfall this year, durian trees have not produced enough fruit for the harvest to peak this August.
“Of course kani atoang climate change mao gyud na siya ang culprit because of the high rainfall incidence nga dili pud, wala tay control, so isa na siya nga cause kay ang atoa man gyud tanom masakit siya sa taas nga rainfall,” she said during the ISpeak media forum, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).
(Of course, climate change is really the culprit because of the high rainfall incidence, which we also have no control over. That’s one of the causes, because our crops tend to get affected or get diseases due to excessive rainfall).
Oguio added that they expect the durian harvest season to begin in October. Because of this, the price of the fruit is projected to increase due to its demand. She noted that with 18 exporters of durian, the price is expected to go up given its high demand during the Kadayawan season. The farmgate price of the Puyat variety currently stands at P100 per kilo, while other varieties range from P60 to P80.
She also said that the city is considering sourcing durian from Kidapawan City in case there is not enough supply for the festival season.
According to Cagro, around 40 tons of durian were exported from January to February this year. The city has 3,000 hectares of durian plantations, of which 2,000 hectares are productive.
Meanwhile, other fruits such as mangosteen, rambutan, and lanzones are expected to be available for harvest in October, not August.
Oguio said that instead of the usual fruits Dabawenyos enjoy during the Kadayawan season, they can look forward to mango, santol, guyabano, banana, jackfruit, and marang, which are currently available in the market.RGP