by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (20 December) -- The key players of the mango industry are projecting a much better year for the year 2007.

Ednar Carlos Dayanghirang, president of the Davao Region Mango Contractors Association, Inc. (DAREMCA) has attributed the positive projection in the expanded market and improvement in production.

Better prospects are ahead of us with the expanding market and improved production, he said in an interview with Davao business reporters yesterday.

The positive performance is to be expected next year with the declining incidents of cecid fly infestation and the forecast of mild El Nino which is advantageous for growing mango, according to the DAREMCA official.

The attack of the cecid fly last year towards the early part of 2006 brought down the production of mango resulting to huge losses incurred by mango contractors.

But he said mango contractors losing money in 2005 because of the infestation had left other areas unproductive and because of the biennial nature of mangoes it is expected to produce more in 2007.

The adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) and integrated pest management (IPM) are also factors that would beef up the mango production next year.

The partnership of mango exporters with the contractors is also seen as a tool to boost the industry because it will ensure compliance to the export market standards in order to sustain good quality and safe Philippine mangoes.

More markets will be tapped in 2007 firstly because of the high probability of the resumption of mango exports to Japan by Diamond Star Agro-Products, Inc and the resumption of other exporting companies like Hi-Las, Dole, Marsman, DHM to the same market.

The other step that would help the market of the fruit to Japan is the compliance by mango contractors and growers on the maximum residue limits imposed by the country on cypermethrin and chlorpyrifus.

The other markets would include South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Middle East, Australia, USA and the BIMP EAGA.

The industry has developed as well partnership with support organizations like the USAID, AUSAID of Australia, CESO-BAFPS-CVED of Canada, JICA of Japan and UDP of Europe.