London, 05 December - The Philippine Embassy in London hosted a Philippine Mango Industry Investment Promotion Forum at Asia House in London last 26 November.

From left to right: Director Lucrecio Alviar (DA Region II), Assistant Secretary Lerey Panes (DA), Ambassador Evan Garcia, Mrs. Virginia Dela Fuente (President, Philippine Mango Industry Foundation), and Mrs. Rowena Genete (DA)

A good mixture of Filipino and British investors, marketing professionals and some Filipino community members attended the event which also included a networking reception.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Evan P. Garcia commended the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine mango farmers for engaging the UK investors to patronize, and invest in, the growing mango industry in the Philippines. He said that country has the best tropical growing conditions to produce what is considered the sweetest mango in the world. He said that he looks forward to seeing Philippine mangoes in supermarkets in the UK.

The Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation co-organized the event which is part of the Philippine Mango Industry Investment Promotion Forum Caravan – Europe. Assistant Secretary for Planning, Project Development and Special Projects, Lerey A. Panes led the Philippine delegation consisting of government officials and representatives of mango industry organizations.

The caravan was organized to reinforce domestic investment on mango and to sustain efforts in developing the European market including the UK as a potential growth market.

Fresh mangoes and mango juice were served at the business forum

The Philippines is the 12th largest producer of fresh mangoes in the world, comprising 2% of total annual production of 42 million MT (India at 36%, China at 10% and Kenya at 7%). Total production is about 800,000 MT on planted area of 187,900 hectares. About 2.3 million farmers are dependent on mango which is the Philippines’ third largest export crop next to Cavendish bananas and pineapple. The Philippines exports to 48 countries including the UK. Total export value is approximately USD 13 million. END