The Philippines has dispatched its first-ever commercial batch of fresh Carabao mangoes to Toronto, Canada, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The shipment departed last Wednesday, with officials marking the occasion during a send-off event at the Philippine Airlines cargo terminal in Pasay City. This move forms part of the government’s broader plan to expand export destinations and lessen dependence on longstanding trade partners for agricultural goods.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted this milestone builds on last year’s first delivery of Philippine mangoes to Rome, aiming to introduce more global consumers to the country’s top farm produce. Exporters Hi-Las Marketing Corp. and Castillo Import Export Ventures Inc. supplied the fruit, while Ontario-based TSI Tropicals Inc. serves as the importer. Philippine Airlines transported the cargo under its commercial air freight service.
While exact shipment volumes were not disclosed, the DA highlighted it is actively promoting a wide range of high-value crops beyond mangoes—including bananas, coconuts, cacao, pomelo, and durian—for international markets. Under the current administration, a dedicated office for export crop development was set up, led by Undersecretary Philip Young. Young emphasized that the success reflects strong collaboration between government support and private sector effort, with coordination also provided by Philippine trade and consular offices in North America.
Official data shows the country produced over 710,000 metric tons of mangoes last year, and the Carabao variety accounts for roughly 81.5 percent of that total output. This new trade route opens additional opportunities for local farmers to reach more buyers and increase earnings from one of the nation’s most iconic crops.
