Philippine mangoes officially land in Italy in a bid to win over Italian consumers in this undated photo. The Department of Agriculture on Monday (June 2, 2025) said the maiden mango export to the European country would send a positive signal to the entire mango industry. (Photo courtesy of DA)
Philippine mangoes have officially entered the Italian market, marking a historic first as over half a ton of the country’s prized tropical fruit recently landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. The milestone aims to introduce the renowned fruit to European consumers and expand the global footprint of Philippine agriculture.
According to a statement from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday, this shipment is the first commercial export of Philippine mangoes to Italy. The breakthrough was made possible through the combined efforts of Filipino entrepreneurs, the DA, and the Philippine Embassy in Rome.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. hailed the export as more than a symbolic achievement, emphasizing its potential to invigorate the country’s mango industry.
“This is a signal to our farmers to raise their standards and target premium quality,” said Tiu Laurel. “It also paves the way for greater public and private investments to make Philippine mangoes more competitive in the global market.”
He credited the collaboration between Filipino entrepreneurs in Italy, the DA, and the Philippine Embassy for making the milestone possible. The initiative, he said, embodies the Marcos administration’s broader goal of expanding agricultural exports and promoting Filipino products abroad.
“This success shows the power of collaboration between government agencies, private enterprise, and the global Filipino community in elevating Philippine produce to international markets,” he added.
The mangoes came from Pangasinan, one of the Philippines’ top mango-producing provinces. The Bureau of Plant Industry ensured the fruit met Italy’s strict sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
Agriculture Attaché Josyline Javelosa praised the determination of the Filipino-led group that initiated the export, noting that they ventured into fresh produce importation without prior experience.
She also highlighted the diplomatic and strategic value of the mango export.
“This milestone reflects the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable agriculture and inclusive development,” said Javelosa, who also serves as the country’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UN agencies in Rome, including the FAO, WFP, and IFAD.
Philippine mangoes are gaining traction internationally through the FAO’s One Country One Priority Product program, which recognizes mangoes as the nation’s flagship crop. They are also included in the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Investment Initiative, which channels development support to high-impact agricultural sectors.
In 2024, Tiu Laurel presented a $50-million investment proposal in Rome aimed at supporting 27,000 mango-farming households.
He expressed confidence that the successful Rome shipment will open the door to broader market access across Europe, further solidifying the Philippines’ reputation as a source of world-class mangoes.
