Guimaras mangoes land in Europe as Philippines' 1st GI export

The first batch of Guimaras mangoes to arrive in Europe was welcomed on Tuesday by the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, marking the Philippines’ first Geographical Indication (GI) product.

“We are opening a very special box of Philippine mangoes, which is making its first journey to Europe… This is the first registered Geographical Indication product of the Philippines,” said Jaime Victor Ledda, the Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union in a video shared on social media.

The GI label identifies products whose quality, reputation, or distinct character are linked to a specific place in the world.

The embassy said that if France has its champagne and Japan its Kobe beef, the Guimaras Islands in the Philippines have their Guimaras mangoes.

“They come from the Philippine carabao mango heritage,” Ledda said.

After landing in Belgium, the mangoes are expected to be available in The Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain.

The Philippine Embassy in Belgium said the export of mangoes is projected to create “pathways for future export opportunities in the European market.” —RF, GMA News