Rome: Philippine mangoes have officially made their commercial debut in Italy, as over half a ton of the country’s prized tropical fruit recently arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport in an attempt to capture and win over the Italian market.
According to Philippines News Agency, this marks the first time Philippine mangoes have been exported commercially to Italy, achieved through the collaborative efforts of Filipino entrepreneurs and support from the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Embassy in Rome.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that this initial mango export to Italy represents more than just a singular achievement, as it signals a positive impact on the local mango industry. He encouraged mango farmers to strive for premium quality and highlighted the opportunity for increased investments from both government and private sectors to enhance the global competitiveness of Philippine mangoes.
The milestone was made possible by the collaboration between Filipino entrepreneurs in Rome, the Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Embassy. This effort aligns with the Marcos administration’s strategy to expand agricultural exports and promote Filipino products on a global scale.
The mangoes, sourced from Pangasinan-a leading mango-producing region in the Philippines-successfully met Italy’s stringent sanitary and phytosanitary standards, facilitated by the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry.
Agriculture Attach© to Italy, Josyline Javelosa, praised the Filipino-led group’s determination in spearheading this initiative despite their lack of experience in fresh produce importation. She underlined the strategic importance of mangoes in international cooperation, highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to green agriculture and inclusive development.
Philippine mangoes are gaining international recognition through the FAO’s One Country One Priority Product program, which identifies mangoes as the Philippines’ flagship commodity. The fruit is also part of the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Investment Initiative, aimed at channeling funding and development aid to strategic agricultural sectors.
In 2024, Tiu Laurel proposed a USD50-million investment case in Rome to benefit 27,000 mango farming households. He expressed confidence that the Rome shipment will pave the way for broader market access across Europe.
