Philippines Exports Carabao Mangoes to Vancouver: A Sweet Opportunity

The Philippines has successfully exported its renowned Carabao mangoes to Vancouver, marking a significant milestone in the country's agricultural export strategy. A shipment consisting of one metric ton (approximately 250 cartons) of fresh mangoes was dispatched to Canada, facilitated by a partnership between Mensch FilAm Corp. and the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Marketing Bureau under its Outbound Business Matching Mission program.

This shipment follows an earlier delivery of Carabao mangoes to Toronto on June 4, 2026, which was the first commercial export of this fruit to Canada. The latest batch of mangoes was flown in by Philippine Airlines and is currently available at T&T Supermarket locations in Lansdowne, Richmond, and Central City, Surrey. T&T Supermarket, the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada, is expected to receive additional cartons for distribution across all its stores in Metro Vancouver.

Deputy Consul General Paul Vincent Uy of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver noted the collaborative efforts involved in this initiative, which included various government departments and private entities. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has been actively working to enhance the mango industry's capacity to meet international export standards and address any disease concerns affecting production.

“Opening new markets means opening new opportunities for our farmers. When we can sell more Philippine agricultural products abroad, we create opportunities to increase farm incomes, encourage more investment in agriculture, and bring greater economic activity to the countryside.”Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. remarked that opening new markets creates opportunities for farmers to sell more Philippine agricultural products abroad, which can increase farm incomes, encourage investment in agriculture, and stimulate economic activity in the countryside. This sentiment underscores the government's broader strategy to diversify markets for Philippine agricultural products and increase visibility for premium Filipino goods in international markets.

Philippine Carabao mangoes, recognized by the Guinness World Records in 1999 as the sweetest mangoes in the world, have long been celebrated for their exceptional flavor and buttery texture. T&T Supermarket's CEO, Tina Lee, expressed her enthusiasm for the fruit during her visit to the Philippines, describing them as the best mangoes she has ever tasted. This enthusiasm is expected to translate into strong demand in the Canadian market, where dried mangoes from the Philippines have already established a significant presence.

The successful delivery of fresh Carabao mangoes to Canada is part of a concerted effort by the Philippine government to expand agricultural exports and explore new income opportunities for local farmers. The DA has consolidated over 40 mango growers’ groups into a single federation to enhance coordination and market access, further strengthening the industry's capacity to meet export requirements.