MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that the country will be dispatching another batch of the nation’s world-renowned mangoes to Australia this April 2024.
This is revealed by FastboxPH to the DTI, the logistics provider distributing the fruit in Australia.
In a statement released by the DTI, it said that the “move is poised to further fortify the trade relations between the two countries.”
DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual highlighted the robust recovery of bilateral trade between the Philippines and Australia, saying that the trade levels have soared beyond pre-pandemic figures.
Pascual added that in 2023 alone, the trade volume between the two countries surged to USD 4.1 billion, representing a significant 20 percent increase from the previous year’s USD 3.4 billion.
"The continued growth in our bilateral trade underscores the vast potential for our products in the Australian market. The successful export of our mangoes exemplifies the significant strides we're making in facilitating agricultural trade, which is pivotal for our economic agenda," Pascual stated.
He also noted the importance of key policy tools such as the Second Protocol of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), recently signed by the Philippines on February 14, 2024, in further optimizing the trade and investment relationship between the two nations.
Echoing the DTI Chief’s optimism, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, highlighted the significance of the second mango shipment under the Strategic Partnership established in September 2023.
"The Philippines and Australia share a strong commitment to fostering trade ties, and the arrival of our mangoes signifies a delightful milestone in our partnership, especially as we celebrate Filipino Food Month in April,” De Vega enthused.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney (PTIC-Sydney) is in-charge of expanding the reach of premium Philippine agricultural products, particularly mangoes, through trade fairs and consultations, ensuring the international visibility of Philippine products, the DTI said.
Proof of this is the reported surge in demand within the Australian market for Philippine mangoes, attributing it to the unparalleled taste and quality of Philippine mangoes, as mentioned by FastboxPH.
In a statement, Miguel Ripoll, Managing Director of FastboxPH, said that “the overwhelmingly positive response to our initial shipment last year has paved the way for a triumphant return of Philippine mangoes to Australian tables this April. We are steadfast in our commitment to making Philippine mangoes a household staple in Australia."
According to the DTI, with Philippine mango exports to Australia adhering to stringent biosecurity regulations, successfully navigating documentation and inspection procedures, FastboxPH is now poised to further expand its presence across Australia.
The company aims to establish partnerships with additional retailers and distributors nationwide, ensuring wider accessibility of Philippine mangoes to Australian consumers.
