In the Philippines, mango is not considered national fruit for nothing. Apart from its distinct, fine taste and nutritional value, it also has asignificant contribution to the country’s export earnings. Mango has an established international niche markets and ranks as the third most important fruit crop of the country next to pineapple and banana, based on export volume and value.
The ‘Carabao’, known internationally as the Manila Super Mango, is one of the world’s best because of its sweet taste and excellent eating quality. Other varieties include, ‘Pico’ and ‘Katchamitha’ (Indian Mango).
To ensure that necessary support is available for the development of the Philippine Mango Industry, the fruit was consisdered as one of the priority crops supported by the programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Mangoes are included in the high value crops and given priority under the High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Program.
Uses
- Fruit is eaten as dessert (ripe) or relish (immature) depending on fruit maturity.
- Can be processed into a number of unique products such as dried, puree, juice, nectar, chutney, pickle mango scoops, roll, powder, halves or scoops in light syrup; and used as flavoring for ice cream, bakery products, and confectionaries.
The Philippines is the world’s seventh leading mango producer. It has established its credibility in supplying high quality mangoes to important markets such as Hongkong, Japan and Sigapore. Other markets for Philippine mangoes include United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, Korea, among others.
The Philippines also takes advantage of the low tariff in export provided by the World Trade Organization (WTO). In Japan, the tariff on fresh and dried mangoes went down from six to three percent allowing Philippine mangoes to enter duty-free markets.
Fresh mango is the leading dollar earner of the country, constituting 59% of total mango export. Other export products include dried mangoes (16%), mango puree (18%), juice concentrates (6%) and other mango juices (1%).
- Fresh mango exports to Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries reached 46,992 metric tons (mt), worth US$31.11 million. (BAS, 2004)
- Exported dried and other processed mango products reached 18,039 mt, valued at US$20, 809, 68. (BAS, 2004)
Mango thrives in areas with at least four to five dry months. In the Philippines, the leading production areas are Pangasinan in Luzon (382, 538 mt); Western and Central Visayas (54, 642 mt), Davao Region (32, 382 mt) and Cotabato provinces (51, 613 mt) for Mindanao.
The Philippine mango industry supports some 2.5 million farmers and farm family members. Of the 880, 759 ha of the Philippine soil planted to fruit crops, the area planted to mango was estimated at 158, 000 ha, with seven million trees in 2004. It has produced 967, 000 mt fruits, valued at P16, 135 million. (Roadmap to Mango Industry and BAS 2004)
The national average yield of mango in top producing provinces have been constantly increasing between 9 to 15 management. (Strategic Action Plan for Mango)
Demand and supply
- The Philippines exports only less than 10% of total mango production with the value of about US$61 million.
- The Philippines exports mangoes to 48 countries.
- While mango is in demand in foreign markets, the value of domestic consumption is worth P41.6 billion.
Price trend
Except for Indian mango, the prices of all mango varieties increased in 2004 due to lowered production caused by heavy rains and strong winds.
Average farmgate price of green ‘carabao’ and ‘Pico’ were at P23 and P17 respectively, per kilogram.
Average wholesale prices of green and ripe mangoes ranged from P37 to P46.
The prices of mangoes at farmgate, wholesale and retail levels are high in January to February and September to December. Lowest prices were observed from March to July. (BAS 2004)