Mango exports to Australia resume

MANILA  -The Philippines has resumed exporting fresh mangoes to Australia after nearly a decade, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday, following the shipment of 1,500 kilograms of Carabao mangoes earlier this week.

“The export of fresh mangoes to Australia is a milestone achievement for our agricultural sector. The meticulous planning, rigorous adherence to international quality standards and continuous efforts of our farmers and exporters have culminated in this momentous occasion,” Gerald Glenn Panganiban, director of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), said in a statement on Friday.

According to the agency, Carabao mangoes, also called Philippine or Manila mangoes, were shipped on Wednesday to the cities of Sydney and Perth in Australia from the Philippine Airlines cargo terminal in Parañaque City.

Herminigilda Gabertan, DA-BPI assistant director for research, development and production support services, explained that the Philippines last exported mangoes to Australia in 2013.

“So this is a big step toward our mango industry development considering that we need to promote this product in other countries,” she said.

The DA-BPI partnered with the Bureau of Customs, PAL and Hi-Las Marketing Corp. for the shipment.