Davao city: The Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 (Davao Region) is intensifying efforts to connect local farmers with international markets, this time by exploring the export potential of mango products to South Korea.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA-11 Technical Director for Operations Marie Ann Constantino highlighted that during a recent visit to three mango farms in the region, David Park, president of Sae Kyoung Co. in South Korea, praised the fruit's flavor and quality, calling it 'a really good mango.' Park, along with the technical team from DA-11's Agriculture and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), visited the mango farms of the ADMWL Association in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), the Kibao Integrated Farmers Association (KIFA) in Matanao, and the San Roque United Farmers' Association (SRUFA) in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Since last year, DA-11 has increased efforts to link mango farmers in IGACOS, Matanao, and Digos City with international buyers, targeting South Korea as a primary market. Park emphasized the importance of food safety in crop production and offered to share his company's organic farm program protocol with the associations for a potential demo trial for export to South Korea.

A key requirement for South Korean buyers is compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), which specify the maximum allowable concentration of pesticide residue on fruit. Meanwhile, Constantino underscored the agency's commitment to supporting farmers in producing safe food for local communities while expanding their reach abroad.

Constantino mentioned that farmers in the Davao Region are now seen as agripreneurs capable of competing globally while continuing to provide food for local communities. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in the third quarter of 2025, mango production in the region reached 5,708.90 metric tons, making it the third-largest fruit crop by volume, behind banana and durian.

Constantino also stated that Sae Kyoung Co. will continue engaging with farmers with DA-AMAD's assistance. This market linkage initiative aims to transform farmers from producers into agripreneurs capable of competing globally, while strengthening food security, driving rural development, and enhancing the Philippines' reputation as a reliable supplier of agricultural goods.