Famed Guimaras Mangoes and Dragon Fruit Eyed for Export to Netherlands

The Philippines is aiming to directly export to the Netherlands the renowned Carabao mangoes and dragon fruit from the island province of Guimaras in Western Visayas.

Officially recognized as the “Mango Capital of the Philippines,” Guimaras mainly produces the globally renowned Carabao mango.

The Department of Trade and Industry–Western Visayas (DTI Region 6) and the Guimaras Provincial Office are exploring the necessary steps to facilitate the export of the province’s prime produce to the Northwestern European country.

This initiative could be a game changer for Guimaras’ local farmers and the economy, the DTI underscored.

The effort is being undertaken in coordination with the DTI Supply Chain and Logistics Group, with support from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center–Brussels.

Recently, DTI Guimaras and DTI Region 6, together with key logistics partners—Airspeed, In-Line Forwarder, F2 Logistics, and Netherlands-based importer JMR World Trading BV—conducted an assessment of the province’s export readiness and requirements for mangoes and dragon fruit.

The assessment delegation also included Guimaras mango growers; representatives from the Guimaras Provincial Government, particularly the Provincial Economic Development Office (PEDO) and the Provincial Office for Agricultural Services (POAS); the Bureau of Customs (BOC); and the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), to align export procedures and logistics for the European market.

They consulted with Guimaras Wonders Farm and inspected the hot water treatment facility at the Mango Growers and Producers Cooperative to ensure compliance with European safety standards.

They also visited Kokomojo Mango Farm to discuss sustainable supply chains for fresh and processed mango products, and NJST Fruit Farm to explore its dragon fruit for export opportunities.

These farms are among the major sources of the target fruits.

“The visits aimed to review the sustainability of the supply chain, production capacity, and phytosanitary compliance—crucial factors in determining whether Guimaras mangoes and dragon fruit can meet the stringent requirements of the European market,” the DTI said.

The assessment also focused on aligning export procedures, regulatory compliance, and logistics requirements for entry into the Netherlands.

The DTI likewise noted the need to strengthen export readiness and further consolidate logistics partnerships.

Officially recognized as the “Mango Capital of the Philippines,” Guimaras mainly produces the globally renowned Carabao mango, which was conferred a Guinness World Record title in 1995 for its exceptional sweetness, aromatic scent, and non-fibrous flesh, earning recognition as the world’s sweetest mango.

Guimaras Carabao mangoes were also granted the country’s first Geographical Indication (GI) seal by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in 2023, certifying their superior quality, tender texture, and signature yellow-orange color.

The GI seal formally recognized the mangoes as the first registered GI product in the Philippines, protecting their unique quality and origin, with the certificate conferred in May 2023.

The designation serves as a key marketing tool, reinforcing the link between the mangoes’ high sweetness and their geographic origin, helping producers command better prices.

Guimaras is also known for its dragon fruit, a tropical crop gaining global popularity for its nutritional benefits.

The province is establishing itself as a major dragon fruit hub in Western Visayas, with 28 hectares under cultivation and annual dragon fruit festivals held since 2022.

The Department of Agriculture recognizes Guimaras for its significant contribution to dragon fruit production in the region.