According to provincial agriculturist, Ronie Morante, Guimaras is expected to start the export of its sweet mangoes to Russia in May. Guimaras growers, producers and traders will meet with exporters on April 29 to finalize the details of the export.
“We will be negotiating with a licensed exporter who is aware of the protocols of Russia,” Morante said. They will be working out among others the shipment schedule of the two metric tons per week committed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
The secretary met with mango growers, producers and traders as part of his “Biyaheng Bukid” at the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center in Jordan, Guimaras.
In a media interview on Thursday, Piñol said he has provided PHP1 million (€17,000) as starting capital as the province gears for the Russia shipment. The fund will be handled by the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative (GMGPDC), assuring that the growers will be paid outright.
Last year, the province was able to produce 11,500 tons. This year they are projecting to have more than 12,000 tons due to favorable weather condition. Currently, the province has 274,822 mango trees and almost 200,000 are bearing fruits.
Source: news.mb.com.ph
