MANILA - Del Monte Philippines will export Leyte's Abuyog sweet jackfruit, Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Tuesday.

Company officials found the "langka" variety to be firm and devoid of the pungent smell of similar fruits during a taste test, Piñol said.

An initial shipment would be exported to the Middle East, Japan and South Korea, he said.

"Should the market test promotional sale prove to be successful, the planting of more Abuyog Sweet Jack will be immediately undertaken to satisfy the prospective huge foreign market," he said.