Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) is one of the most recognizable tropical fruits in Southeast Asia. With its hairy red skin and sweet, juicy flesh, rambutan is highly marketable in local wet markets, supermarkets, and even export chains. In the Philippines, rambutan is widely grown in provinces like Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Mindanao. For Filipino farmers, establishing a rambutan orchard can be profitable if supported by the right variety selection, farm management, pest control, and postharvest practices.
This guide provides a step-by-step overview of rambutan farming in the Philippines, from choosing the right grafted varieties to soil preparation, fertilization, pest management, harvesting, and value-adding.
Why Choose Grafted Rambutan Varieties?
The success of rambutan farming starts with your planting material. While rambutan can be grown from seed, it is not recommended for commercial orchards. Seedling trees are unpredictable and take 8–10 years to bear fruit, often with poor quality and uneven yields.
Grafted rambutan seedlings, on the other hand:
- Bear fruit much earlier (3–4 years).
- Inherit the exact qualities of the mother tree.
- Produce more uniform fruit size, color, and sweetness.
- Provide more reliable harvests and higher income.
Farmer’s rule: Always invest in grafted planting materials from a trusted DA-accredited nursery or a grower with proven mother trees.
Best Grafted Rambutan Varieties
Here are some recommended grafted rambutan varieties that are known for high yield, sweetness, and good market performance. Availability may differ per province, so consult your local nursery.
1. Rongrien (Thailand)
- Tree growth: Medium to large, upright.
- Fruit: Bright red skin, long soft spines, sweet juicy flesh.
- Seed: Freestone (easy to remove).
- Yield: High, consistent, early bearing.
- Best for: Fresh market and export.
2. Binjai (Indonesia)
- Tree growth: Vigorous, spreading canopy.
- Fruit: Dark red, firm and sweet with a slight tang.
- Seed: Semi-freestone.
- Yield: Very high; produces large bunches.
- Best for: Farmers who want quantity and strong local demand.
3. Lebakbulus (Indonesia)
- Fruit: Orange-red skin, juicy and very sweet.
- Seed: Semi-clinging.
- Yield: Reliable and abundant.
- Best for: Household orchards and processing (jams, jellies).
4. Seematjan (Malaysia)
- Tree growth: Compact, easy to manage.
- Fruit: Maroon skin, sweet-sour flavor.
- Seed: Semi-clinging.
- Best for: Small farms wanting early-bearing trees.
5. R134 (Thailand)
- Tree growth: Large, upright.
- Fruit: Deep red, long spines, very sweet.
- Seed: Freestone.
- Yield: Among the highest-yielding selections.
- Best for: Commercial farms, premium buyers.
6. Local Selections (Philippines)
Many Filipino farmers also grow grafted rambutan from selected local mother trees that are heavy-bearing and sweet. Some nurseries also sell yellow rambutan varieties, which are rarer and fetch higher prices in niche markets.
Soil and Site Requirements
- Climate: Warm, humid tropics (22–32°C), 1,500 mm rainfall annually.
- Altitude: Up to 700 meters above sea level.
- Soil: Loamy to sandy-loam with good drainage. Avoid waterlogging.
- pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5–6.5).
Planting and Orchard Management
- Planting season: Start of rainy season.
- Spacing: 8–10 meters apart (100–156 trees per hectare).
- Planting hole: 60 × 60 × 60 cm mixed with compost or manure.
- Mulching: Apply organic mulch around base to conserve soil moisture.
- Watering: Drip irrigation is ideal, especially during flowering and fruiting.
Fertilizer Guide for Rambutan Farming
Young trees (1–2 years):
- 0.5–1 kg complete fertilizer (14-14-14) per year in 3 splits.
- Apply compost (10–15 kg/tree/year).
Bearing trees (3–4 years):
- 1–2 kg complete fertilizer in 3 splits (pre-flowering, fruit set, post-harvest).
- Supplement with potassium (KCl) for bigger fruit.
Mature trees (5+ years):
- 2–4 kg complete fertilizer per tree annually, plus 20 kg compost.
- Apply micronutrients (boron, zinc) as foliar sprays if needed.
Pest and Disease Management
Common pests:
- Fruit flies: Bag fruits, use methyl eugenol traps.
- Mealybugs/scale insects: Control with pruning, beneficial insects, or soap sprays.
- Leaf caterpillars: Spot spraying when severe.
Common diseases:
- Anthracnose: Prune for air circulation, apply copper fungicides.
- Root rot (Phytophthora): Avoid waterlogging, plant on raised beds.
Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM): regular monitoring, sanitation, pruning, and targeted sprays only when necessary.
Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling
- Harvest maturity: Fruit turns bright red/yellow depending on variety, aril sweet and juicy.
- Harvest method: Use scissors/pruners to cut fruit clusters. Avoid pulling by hand.
- Sorting: Remove damaged or infested fruits.
- Storage: Fresh rambutan lasts 2–3 days at room temperature, 7–10 days at 10–12°C in cold storage.
- Packaging: Use ventilated crates or cartons with liners to reduce bruising.
Value-Added Rambutan Products
Farmers can increase income by processing rambutan into:
- Canned rambutan in syrup
- Frozen peeled rambutan arils
- Rambutan jam, jelly, marmalade
- Dried rambutan snacks
- Rambutan wine or vinegar (specialty markets)
- Rind-based compost or natural dye
Cost and Income Estimates
Establishment (per hectare): ₱80,000–₱250,000 (land prep, seedlings, labor, irrigation).
Annual maintenance: ₱55,000–₱160,000 (fertilizers, labor, pest management).
Bearing age: 3–4 years for grafted trees.
Yields: 20–100 kg/tree in early years, 100–300 kg/tree for mature orchards.
Farmgate price: ₱60–₱120/kg (varies by season and market).
With 100–150 trees per hectare, a well-managed orchard can gross ₱300,000–₱1M per hectare annually in peak years.
Farmer’s Takeaway
Rambutan farming in the Philippines can be highly rewarding if done with the right foundation. Start with grafted varieties like Rongrien, Binjai, R134, and proven local selections. Ensure well-drained soil, proper fertilization, and consistent pest management. Invest in postharvest handling to maintain fruit quality and explore value-adding for higher profits.
Above all, remember: good planting material + good management = good harvests. Rambutan farming is a long-term investment, but with patience and proper care, it can provide steady income and improve farmers’ livelihoods.