Compared to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the Philippines is a small producer of exotic fruits. Yet Dr. Pablito P. Pamplona, a retired fruit expert from the University of Southern Mindanao, believes the country can capture a share of the exotic fruit market in the Asean Economic Community.
Dr. Pamplona is going to Malaysia as an initial step in observing the character of the exotic fruit market in the Asean. His aim is to find out the season or seasons when the peak of production occurs in the different countries, so that growers in the Philippines can time the fruiting of their trees in order to supply when no other country can.
Dr. Pamplona believes that the Philippines can produce Longkong, pummelo, durian and mangosteen for export to the AEC, but needs to expand the area planted with these crops. Longkong, a variety from Thailand, has been proven to adapt to local conditions. In fact, if Longkong can be produced in large volumes, the local market is also a good market.
Source: mb.com.ph
