ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 10, 2008) – The Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry said the United States is looking for suppliers that could provide sufficient importations of mango fruit products.
Dr Hernani Golez, BPI’s program coordinator, said the US market has opened its door for importations of mango products that will come from the Philippines. But mango products bound to the US are expected to pass a tight quality control, he said.
He said that BPI will conduct a series of survey in Zamboanga City and other areas in the southern Philippines which are known to produce mango products.
“There will a series of consultations and seminar with the stake holders to educate them on the proper way of growing mango and modern techniques that will help them in their farm,” he said.
Golez said the US market is very strict on the compliance of requirements that will commensurate with its high quality standards on food.
“One of the requirements is that the mango should be free from pests such as the so called seed and pulp weevils which are rampant in many mango farms in the country,” he said.
Golez said these problems will be one of their concerns on the conduct of the survey.
To address the problems, Golez said the Department of Agriculture will adopt measures to ensure the quality of the fruit will pass the standards of the US market and to provide greater access for the country's mango products. (Erico Rosco)
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