Philippine mangoes make historic Canada market entry

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Fresh Philippine mangoes have officially entered the Canadian market after the Department of Trade and Industry, other government agencies, and private sector partners held a send-off ceremony on June 3, 2026, for the country’s first commercial shipment of the fruit to Canada.

The shipment, composed of 400 cartons of fresh Philippine mangoes, was sent off at the Philippine Airlines International Cargo Terminal.

In a press statement, DTI officials said the milestone marks the Philippines’ entry into one of North America’s promising markets for premium tropical fruits and is expected to help introduce Philippine mangoes to more consumers abroad.

The event was attended by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Philip Young, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano, DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte, Hi-Las Marketing Corporation president Ram Amores, and Philippine Airlines vice president for Cargo Business Jason Siy.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said the first shipment marks a significant milestone for the Philippine mango industry and reflects the growing competitiveness of local exports.

“Canada is a promising market for premium Philippine products, and this shipment shows that our exporters can successfully compete in high-potential destinations. As we diversify our export markets, we remain committed to helping our businesses expand their global reach through targeted export promotion, market access initiatives, and the Marcos administration’s growing network of free trade agreements, including ongoing trade discussions with Canada,” Secretary Roque said.

The DTI said the shipment is part of a strategy to diversify export destinations for Philippine products.

In 2025, Philippine fresh mango exports reached approximately USD 7.9 million, but more than 94% went to just one country, making expansion into markets such as Canada critical to the industry’s long-term growth.

The push also comes as Canada remains home to a large Filipino community, with Statistics Canada reporting that more than 957,000 people identified as Filipino in the 2021 census, representing 2.6% of Canada’s population and the country’s fourth-largest racialized group.

DTI Undersecretary for Industry Development and Investment Promotions Ceferino S. Rodolfo said gaining entry into a foreign market must be followed by sustained commercial work.

“Securing market access is only the first step. Market access does not automatically translate into product access,” he said.

“Canada is a strategic market, and sustained business engagement is needed to build awareness, establish distribution channels, and generate demand. As we work toward a free trade agreement, active participation in major trade events will help position Philippine products to fully realize the benefits of future trade opportunities.”

Canada’s food import rules require importers of fresh fruits and vegetables to meet food safety and consumer protection requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and Food and Drug Regulations, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The CFIA also classifies mangoes among fresh citrus and tropical fruits covered by its phytosanitary import policy, which requires shipments to be free from soil, pests, leaves, and plant debris and allows inspection at the first point of arrival in Canada.

The first commercial shipment was made possible through a collaboration among the DTI, particularly the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto and the Export Marketing Bureau, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Airlines, Hi-Las Marketing Corporation, and Canadian importer TSI Tropicals Inc.

PTIC Toronto, led by Trade Commissioner Mario C. Tani, worked for several months with Hi-Las Marketing Corporation and Philippine Airlines to coordinate the shipment and address logistical challenges.

A key breakthrough was securing economical air shipping rates, which helped make the project viable and allowed the first order to be locked in.

PTIC Toronto also worked with the EMB to identify shipping options and facilitate discussions with logistics companies.

“This milestone shows what happens when the government and private businesses work together,” said Trade Commissioner Tani. “Canada offers great opportunities for Philippine products, and we are thrilled that this teamwork led to our historic first shipment. We hope this opens the door for regular, long-term sales of Philippine mangoes to Canada.”

Amores said the initial shipment signals the start of a new export opportunity for Philippine mango growers and exporters.

“This shipment is more than a commercial transaction—it is the beginning of a brand-new opportunity for Philippine mangoes in Canada,” said Amores. “We are grateful for the support of PTIC Toronto, the DTI, the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Airlines, and all the partners who made this pioneering effort possible. Canada is a promising market, and we are confident that both Filipino-Canadians and the broader Canadian consumer base will appreciate the exceptional quality and unique taste of our mangoes. We hope this maiden shipment drives sustained demand and creates a pathway of opportunities for more Philippine growers and exporters in the years ahead.”

During the ceremony, Sykimte reaffirmed the DTI’s commitment to support initiatives that open new markets for Philippine agricultural products.

The DTI said the first shipment is a historic step but only the beginning of a broader plan to increase Philippine exports in the coming years.

As global demand for high-quality tropical fruits grows, the agency said it will continue working with businesses to bring Philippine products to major international markets and help support the local economy.