First fresh PH mango shipment lands in Toronto
The first commercial shipment of fresh Philippine mangoes has arrived in Toronto, marking a significant milestone in the Philippines’ efforts to expand agricultural exports to Canada and North America, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a news release.
The shipment landed on June 4 aboard Philippine Airlines, opening a new export pathway for the country’s prized carabao mangoes and bringing what is often described as the world’s sweetest mango closer to Canadian consumers.
Before its departure from the Philippines, the shipment was formally sent off by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Export Crops and Agri-Fishery Export Development and Promotion Philip Young, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Economic and Cultural Diplomacy Raquel Solano, and DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte.
The initial batch of fresh Philippine mangoes is expected to be available through Seafood City, one of North America’s leading Filipino supermarket chains, and online fruit retailer Fruter.ca.
The shipment was made possible through a coordinated effort involving the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Toronto, the Philippine Agriculture Office in Washington, D.C., Philippine Airlines, exporters Castillo Import Export Ventures Inc. and Hi-Las Marketing Corporation, and Toronto-based importer TSI Tropicals.
Philippine officials said the initiative supports the country’s broader strategy of expanding exports, strengthening supply chains, and increasing the visibility of premium Filipino products in international markets.
Consul General Kristine Leilani R. Salle welcomed the arrival of the shipment, saying it “demonstrates what is possible when government agencies and private partners work together to unlock new opportunities for Filipino products and services and meet the growing demand abroad.”
Salle said the inaugural shipment could serve as the foundation for a sustainable export program for Philippine mangoes in Canada.
She emphasized that the first shipment lays the groundwork for a sustained and scalable export pathway supported by compliance with Canadian import requirements and stronger collaboration among industry stakeholders. She also expressed optimism that future regular commercial shipments would benefit mango farmers, processors, and other players in the agricultural value chain.
Philippine Airlines, which transported the cargo, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Filipino exporters through reliable cargo services and direct connectivity between the Philippines and Canada.
The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and its partners said they will continue working to ensure Canadian consumers have consistent access to fresh Philippine mangoes in the years ahead.
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