President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at the Banana Congress in Davao City. Robinson Ninal, Malacanang photo

DAVAO CITY - Banana growers here have reported an increase in demand and prices after China lifted restrictions on Philippine exports ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to Beijing next week.

Shipments nearly doubled for some, who now ship seven container vans full of bananas from four vans before the trade restrictions were lifted last week, said Emmanuel Pamisaran of Apanabo City.

Prices per box of bananas also rose to P130 per box from P90 due to rising demand, said banana supplier Emmanuel Pamisaran.

Banana grower Ronnie Navarro said he hoped to get good prices from Chinese buyers.

China is one of the biggest markets for Philippine bananas. Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry showed that it imported 300,000 bananas worth $60 million from the Philippines prior to the imposition of tighter quarantines amid tension due to a naval standoff at the Scarborough Shoal in 2012. -- from a report by Rodirey Salas, ABS-CBN News