Philippine mangoes have entered the Italian fresh fruit market for the first time, with nearly 800 kilograms from Pangasinan arriving in Rome in late May.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. hailed the shipment as a breakthrough for expanding agricultural exports, boosting farmer incomes and attracting rural investment.
“It shows what can happen when public institutions, private initiative, and overseas Filipinos work together to elevate Philippine products to global standards,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
A group of Filipino entrepreneurs in Rome facilitated the shipment with assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Embassy.
Agriculture attaché Josyline Javelosa credited Filipino small-business owners and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Italy for leading the effort.
The DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) ensured all certifications were in place, noting that many Philippine mango farms already meet EU plant health standards, paving the way for future exports.
Mangoes are the Philippines’ priority commodity under the FAO’s One Country One Priority Product initiative.
Tiu Laurel presented a $50-million investment plan in Rome in 2024 to support 27,000 mango-farming households.
