THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is expecting to export mangoes to Russia starting next month Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said on Monday.
“Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos D. Sorreta said that he has been working on the shipment of mangoes to Russia for the last two years only to be told that there is not enough supply of the Guimaras variety,” Mr. Piñol said in a social media post.
“I was informed that the harvest has started and that an initial shipment can be made by the first week of April,” Mr. Piñol added.
Mr. Piñol, who was visiting Russia, said he was able to inspect a store which sold mangoes from Thailand, India and Pakistan for the equivalent of P1,000 each.
“I was shocked to discover that huge mango which is not even half as sweet as the Philippine mango was sold for P1,000,” Mr. Piñol said.
“The entry of the Philippine mango into the Russian and Belarusian markets can radically change the preferences of consumers in Eastern Europe,” he added.
Mr. Piñol said that while Guimaras mangoes will remain on the premium end of the market, the DA also aims to market other mangoes from the Philippines with labels of origin.
The other areas supplying mangoes are Zambales, Pangasinan, Cebu, Iloilo, the Davao Region, and Cotabato. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
