With the recent launch of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) and entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) maximizes the country’s export potential as the Philippines starts shipping fresh mangoes to Australia this year.
The DTI, through its overseas promotion arm in Sydney, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), worked with the Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry-National Plant Quarantine Services Division (BPI-NPQSD) in support of the government’s initiatives to increase the country’s exports by making products and services more visible in international markets through trade and investment promotion, and production expansion capabilities.
“Our mission is to work with government authorities and industry partners to bring to Australia the highest quality Filipino products and help lift trade between our two countries,” Philippine Trade Representative to Australia Alma Argayoso said.
Australia has always been supportive of the country’s efforts to improve the PH-AU agricultural trade, particularly the exports of mangoes. Further, Argayoso noted that there has been interest in mango exports in recent years, but plans have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that Philippine mango production during the first quarter of 2023 was estimated at 95.86 thousand metric tons, with an increase of 2.0 percent from the 94.00 thousand metric tons output in the same quarter of 2022.
For many years, Australians have been enjoying dried mangoes which has become a popular healthy snack in Australia. “It is now time for Aussies to enjoy our much-beloved fruit in the Philippines,” Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega remarked.
Since 2016, protocols have been in place for the export of mangoes to Australia and the Specific Commodity Understanding (SCU). The SCU is an arrangement document for the importation of fresh mango fruit from the Philippines to Australia under Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015, which have been amended and updated throughout the years to include export opportunities for Filipino mango farmers, according to the BPI-NPQSD.
The shipping arrangements were made possible by FastboxPh, a Sydney-based e-commerce and logistics provider.
Pre-ordering of mangoes is available for sub-distributors and retailers at www.philippinemango.com.au. ♦
Date of Release: 25 August 2023