by Sunstar Daily

THE Philippine Mango supplies 7.8% to total volume of world export. According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), fresh mangoes exported by the Philippines reached 577.00MT in 2003. In the Mango International Trade, the value of 35,799MT equals to US$31,013,488.

But in a latest broadcast by the Japan Government on their Food Sanitation Law specifically on the Importing Act from other countries, including the Philippines must pass the 50% inspection requirement. This brought added concern to mango traders and exporters as Philippine mangoes are generally exported to Japan. From the previous .05% ppm (parts per million) level of Chlorpyrifos residue requirement in mangoes, it has increased to .5%ppm level.

Chlorpyrifus is an organophosphate insecticide (thiophosphoric acid). It is registered for the control of mango leafhoppers and may as well be used as barrier treatment against termites.

In a recent training conducted by the Department of Agriculture – Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) in coordination with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), FPA Assistant Director Clarito M. Barron said that the Japanese Law has taken effect since September 2004 and most of the mango exporters are not aware of it. He said that Pesticide Safety Seminar in Region IX is the 5th of a series in campaigning awareness on the proper use of mango pesticides, and following it would be in Region I. The seminar is implemented by the BPI through DA, FPA and other supporting Chemical Companies.

DA Regional Coordinator for High Value Commercial Crops (HCVV) Marcial B. Fantone said that even when Region IX has no precise documentation of the volume of production exported by the region, but Zamboanga is shipping fresh mangoes to Cebu frequently.

Moreover, the 7th National Mango Congress for this year will be held in Zamboanga City on November 24-26, 2005 with the theme, “Optimizing Growers’ Productivity for a Sustainable Mango Industry.” Over 400 delegates are expected to participate in the said congress.