Philippine mangoes break into Italian market in first-ever export

 

Dominique Nicole Flores - Philstar.com June 3, 2025 | 4:49pm

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine mangoes have officially arrived in Italy, marking the first commercial shipment of the fruit to the country, with over half a ton exported, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Pangasinan farms supplied the mangoes for the first export batch, it added.

In a statement on Tuesday, June 3, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the latest export should “encourage” local mango farmers “to aim for premium quality” as it would also generate more jobs and increase income for the agricultural sector.  

The Department of Trade and Industry said the mango industry is a source of livelihood for around 2.5 million farmers.

Globally, Tiu Laurel said the Rome debut would also attract investments from the government and private sector, boosting the competitiveness of Philippine mangoes.  

The country is also among the top exporters of fresh and dried mangoes in the international market. 

“It shows what can happen when public institutions, private initiative, and overseas Filipinos work together to elevate Philippine products to global standards,” Tiu Laurel added.

According to the Philippine Mango Industry Roadmap 2021–2025, target export markets for Philippine mangoes include China, the European Union, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Its main competitor in these markets is Thai mangoes.

The inaugural commercial shipment was backed by Filipino entrepreneurs, the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Embassy in Rome. 

This includes small Filipino business owners in Rome and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Italy, according to the report of Agriculture Attaché to Italy Josyline Javelosa. 

Despite lacking experience in importing fresh produce, the report said entrepreneurs were able to introduce Philippine mangoes to the Italian market with the DA’s technical support and assistance in complying with Italy's strict import regulations.

To meet Italy’s health standards, the Bureau of Plant Industry ensured that the mango farms where the goods were sourced had proper sanitary certification.

The DA said exporting Philippine mangoes also aligns with the country’s goal of building “sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural value chains.” 

Mangos have also been identified as the “flagship commodity” under the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) One Country One Priority Product Initiative. 

The Philippines has also committed to this by enrolling mangoes in the FAO’s global program that links national agricultural goals with donor and development support.

“This export milestone reflects the Philippines’ commitment to green agriculture and inclusive development,” Javelosa said. 

The DA said it also proposed a $50 million project to sustainably support 27,000 additional mango farming households during an investment pitch in Rome in October 2024.

“With this first shipment, Philippine mangoes are now poised to win over Italian consumers — not just as a tropical delicacy, but as a symbol of agricultural resilience, diaspora unity, and global ambition,” the agency said.  

Global generosity wanes, but Filipinos remain among most dedicated volunteers

 

Dominique Nicole Flores - Philstar.com

February 27, 2025 | 4:23pm

MANILA, Philippines — Despite a global decline in generosity in 2024, a recent study found that the Philippines remains among the top countries where people dedicate their time to helping others.

Global analytics and advisory firm Gallup released their study’s initial findings on Wednesday, February 26, revealing fewer adults worldwide who reported helping a stranger, donating to charity or volunteering with an organization.

The survey, conducted in 144 countries with at least 1,000 respondents per country, found that volunteering was the least common of the three activities. 

Only one in four adults reported volunteering in the past month they were surveyed, though participation varied widely — ranging from as low as 4% in some countries to as high as 65% in others, primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia.

However, the Philippines ranked fourth, with 44% of respondents saying they had volunteered in 2024. Indonesia led with 65%, followed by Liberia and Kenya.

Meanwhile, countries with the lowest volunteerism rates included Egypt (4%), Bulgaria (5%), Albania (5%) and Cambodia (6%) — all with fewer than one in 10 adults engaging in such activities.

Compared to the World Giving Index 2024, which draws on Gallup’s data from 2023 and previous years, the Philippines' volunteerism decreased by four percentage points from 48%. 

It placed 30th out of 142 countries in terms of overall generosity, with nearly seven in 10 Filipino adults reporting they helped a stranger in 2023 and 24% saying they donated. 

Yet, the Philippines saw one of the biggest rebounds in generosity in 2023, bouncing back after a dip in 2022, the report found.

Gallup’s latest study also emphasized the stark global disparity in volunteerism. 

Some countries in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East saw their rates drop by at least 10 points, while nations like Myanmar, Senegal and Uganda saw the complete reverse or an increase of at least 10 points.

Are people tired of giving? 

Even though volunteerism dropped by four percentage points, from 30% to 26%, Gallup noted that the rate remains higher than global levels recorded from 2006 to 2020.

It suggested that “philanthropic fatigue” likely caused the decline, especially after the world reeled from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

People may have also “shifted priorities” due to economic concerns, the study cited how fewer people felt financially secure in 2024 than in 2023. 

Another recent study found that 80% of Filipinos are embracing the "you only live once" (YOLO) mindset, prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term, meaningful pursuits due to fears of the uncertain future.

“However, the trend raises concerns about the future of philanthropy and community involvement, especially as a number of donor countries cut back on development aid,” the report read.  

Gallup’s full study will be released in March, in line with its 2025 World Happiness Report.