SESSION I. VARIETAL SITUATION IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO ECONOMIC CHARACTERS - THE PHILIPPINE MANGO INDUSTRY - ITS PROBLEMS AND PROGRESS

The mango is the favourite fruit of the Philippines and ranks second only to bananas in importance. It was first introduced through the southern islands of the archipelago by Mohammedan missionaries some time between 1400 and 1450. Better varieties from Indochina were later introduced through Manila between 1600 and 1650 and spread to the different provinces of Northern and Central Philippines.

The area planted with mango has not changed much since 1960 but production has more than doubled during the same period (table 1). This is the result of the gradual change-over from old, unproductive seedling trees to selected varieties as well as the adoption of improved cultural practices by large mango growers. Practically all of the fresh mango exports go to Hongkong, the Philippines' traditional market. The export trend in different years is presented in table 2.

An important feature of mango production in the Philippines is the preponderance of small or backyard growers. As such, the industry is characterized by low productivity due to difficulties in applying the recommended production practices. Moreover, the wide dispersal of ownership among thousands of small farmers results in numerous marketing problems. For instance, farm price of mango fruits is only 26.5% of the retail price. Farmer's Cooperatives have not been successfully organized among mango growers but the establishment of the Greater Manila Food Terminal Market (GMFTM), a semi-government entity that will provide storage facilities and help sell farm produce, is expected to partially solve the major marketing problems of the small mango growers.