The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said over the weekend Faxtboxph will dispatch another batch of mangoes to Australia in April 2024.
“This move is poised to further fortify the trade relations between the two countries,” the DTI said in a statement.
Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega cited the significance of the second mango shipment under the strategic partnership established in September 2023.
“The Philippines and Australia share a strong commitment to fostering trade ties, and the arrival of our mangoes signifies a delightful milestone in our partnership, especially as we celebrate Filipino Food Month in April,” she said.
Meanwhile, FastboxPH, the logistics firm entrusted with the recent mango shipment, reported a surge in demand within the Australian market, attributing it to the unparalleled taste and quality of Philippine mangoes.
FastboxPH plans to further expand its presence across Australia. The company aims to establish partnerships with additional retailers and distributors nationwide, ensuring wider accessibility of Philippine mangoes to Australian consumers.
“The overwhelmingly positive response to our initial shipment last year has paved the way for a triumphant return of Philippine mangoes to Australian tables this April. We are steadfast in our commitment to making Philippine mangoes a household staple in Australia,” said Miguel Ripoll, managing director of FastboxPH.
Highlighting the robust recovery of bilateral trade between the Philippines and Australia, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said trade levels between the two countries soared beyond pre-pandemic figures.
Pascual said that in 2023, the trade volume between surged to $4.1 billion, representing a 20-percent increase from $3.4 billion in 2022.
“The continued growth in our bilateral trade underscores the vast potential for our products in the Australian market. The successful export of our mangoes exemplifies the significant strides we’re making in facilitating agricultural trade, which is pivotal for our economic agenda,” he said.
Pascual noted the importance of key policy tools such as the Second Protocol of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), signed by the Philippines on Feb. 14, 2024, in further optimizing the trade and investment relationship between the two nations.
Leading the charge in expanding the reach of premium Philippine agricultural products, particularly mangoes, is the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney (PTIC-Sydney), the DTI’s overseas arm. Through strategic initiatives such as trade fairs and consultations, PTIC-Sydney is actively working to enhance the international visibility of Philippine products.
