I. PRODUCT COVERAGE
Fresh Fruits product coverage/classification by Harmonized System (HS) and  Philippine Standard Commodity Classification (PSCC) is shown below:

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II. PRODUCT USE/S
Banana is consumed fresh, and is also processed into many forms:  chips, ketchup/sauce, dried, flour, and drained, glaced, or crystallized.

Mango is eaten fresh, as dessert or as relish depending on fruit maturity.  Fresh mango is also processed into dried mango, puree/juice, nectar, chutney,  pickles, scoops, rolls/leather, powder, and halves in light syrup.  It is also used as flavoring for ice cream, bakery products, and confectioneries.

Pineapple is eaten fresh, and is processed into other forms:  dried, canned (slices, chunks, tidbits), concentrates, jam, marmalade, juice, vinegar, wine, candy, or nata de pina.

Ripe papayas are eaten fresh, or used to make salads.  They are also processed into jams, jellies, marmalades, purees, pastes, ice cream, fruit in syrup, concentrates, and candies.

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III. PRODUCTION CAPACITY
A total of 23 fresh banana producers/exporters registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) has an aggregate annual production capacity of 27.04 Million metric tons.  All of these companies grow fresh bananas in Mindanao.

Six (6) BOI-registered fresh mango producers/exporters have an annual aggregate capacity of 47,232 metric tons.  These companies are based in Manila and Mindanao.   

Two Davao-based companies producing/exporting fresh pineapples registered with the BOI have a total annual production capacity of 17,650 metric tons.

Two producers/exporters of fresh papaya registered with BOI have an aggregate annual production capacity of 1.4 Million metric tons.

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A. Raw materials
Quality control specification on fruits

Appearance - refers to the external condition of the fruit including homogeneity as to size, freshness, cleanliness, smoothness and other physical form.

Stage of maturity and ripeness - refers to the stage of physiological development of crop upon picking as some fruits for export are harvested when green/mature.

Damage - refers to defects which significantly downgrade appearance and decrease marketability of the fruit.  These are usually brought about by inappropriate post-harvest handling, or by plant diseases/pests.  Common defects include bruises/scars, stains, decomposition, and presence of insects/foreign matter/diseases on fruit.

Size - refers to the classification of fruits based on weight or physical size.  Undersized/oversized fruits are not acceptable in the export market.

The fresh banana industry supports some 5.9 Million farmers and farm households, and provides the necessary raw material for the banana processing industry.

The fresh mango industry supports some 2.5 million farmers and farm family members, and provides raw materials for the varied product lines of the mango  processing industry.

The fresh pineapple industry provides livelihood to about 420,000  farmers nationwide.

C. Packaging Materials

Banana
The most commonly used packaging materials for bananas are plastic wrappings/bags, cartons,  and wooden crates or boxes.

Mangoes
Mango is usually  packed in fibreboard cartons with corresponding partitions, 200 - Test Comobard, Wet Strength Paper, with Vinamel and Dacrez with ventilation holes on each side as desired. Each are individually wrapped in tissue paper with foam padding underneath.

Pineapples
Fresh pineapples are packed in fibreboard containers especially designed to accommodate a fixed number of fruit.

Papaya
To prevent bruises, it is recommended that each fruit be wrapped in tissue paper and cushioned with paper wool or similar materials.

D. Appropriate Standards and Certification

Under Philippine Executive Order 1016 all plant products which include fruits and vegetables capable of harboring pests and insect specimens need export clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry through the issuance of a Phytosanitary Certificate.

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A. Exports by Product

PHILIPPINE EXPORTS OF FRESH FRUITS
1997 to 2002
FOB Value In Thousand US Dollars

Source: National Statistics Office (NSO)

PHILIPPINE EXPORTS OF FRESH FRUITS
1997 to 2002
FOB Value in Thousand US Dollars

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VI. USEFUL ADDRESSES

Mango Products Exporters Confederation, Inc. (MPEC)                                   
Rm. 708 Pacific Building 
Quintin Paredes Street
Binondo, Manila
Telephone No.:  (632) 241-2994
Fax No.:  (632) 241-2997
Contact Person:  Mr. Manuel P. Lucente, Secretary-General                                      

Philippine Fruit Association
Institute of Plant Breeding
University of the Philippines (UP), Los Banos, Laguna
Telephone No.:  (63 49) 536-2512 loc. 242
Fax No.:  (63 49) 536-3438
Contact Person:  Dr. Rolando G. Bugayong, President

Philippine Mango Council
C/o Diamond Star Agro Products
5F Enzo Bldg., 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Telephone No.:  (63 2) 838-4436 / (63 2) 838-4921 to 22
Fax No.:  (63 2) 838-4621
Contact Person:  Mr. Reynaldo T. Mangilit, Director

Philippine Mango Exporters Foundation, Inc.
C/o Hi-Las Marketing Corporation
KKK Processing Plant Bldg., CRB Road, FTI Complex, Taguig, Metro Manila
Tel No.:  (63 2) 838-4941 to 42
Fax No.:  (63 2) 838-4940
Contact Person:  Mr. Roberto Amores, President  

Philippine Mango Industry Foundation (PMIF)                                                                                                                                    C/o NAFC, Department of Agriculture (NAFC-DA)
Elliptical Circle, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone No.: (63 2) 926-2264/929-8231
Contact Person:  Mr. Renato Florencio, President

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA)
145 Rizal Sts., Davao City
Tel No.:  (63 82) 277-7771/ 227-9113
Fax No.:  (63 82) 221-2024
Contact Person:  Mr. Rodolfo G. del Rosario, Jr., President

United Coconut Association of the Phils., Inc. (UCAP)
2F PCRDF Bldg., Pearl Drive cor. Lourdes St.,
Ortigas Complex, Pasig City
Tel No.:  (63 2) 633-8029 / (63 2) 633-9286 to 87
Fax No.:  (63 2) 633-8030
Contact Person:  Ms. Yvonne Agustin, Exec. Secretary