THE Philippines has sent a second shipment of mangoes to Australia, which will help increase the country's bilateral trade with that country, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a statement over the weekend, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the latest mango shipment will help increase the country's bilateral trade with Australia, which reached $4.1 billion in 2023, or 20 percent higher from the previous year's $3.4 billion.

"The continued growth in our bilateral trade underscores the vast potential for our products in the Australian market. The successful export of our mangoes exemplifies the significant strides we're making in facilitating agricultural trade, which is pivotal for our economic agenda," he said.

Moreover, Pascual highlighted the significance of key policy instruments such as the Second Protocol of the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), ratified by the Philippines on Feb. 14, 2024, in further optimizing the trade and investment relationship between the two countries.

Asean is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"We would like to provide enhanced market access for our stakeholders/exporters to as many countries as possible, even the non-traditional partners. For this year, we are working on an FTA with EU (European Union), UAE (United Arab Emirates), and Canada under the Asean-Canada FTA negotiation," the trade chief said.

The logistics firm FastboxPH, which facilitated the mango delivery, has noted a surge in demand for the tropical fruit in Australia, attributing it to the quality and exceptional taste of Philippine mangoes.

"The overwhelmingly positive response to our initial shipment last year has paved the way for a triumphant return of Philippine mangoes to Australian tables this April," FastboxPH Managing Director Miguel Ripol said.

FastboxPH is positioned to expand its reach across the country and establish partnerships with more retailers and distributors nationwide to ensure wider availability of Philippine mangoes to Australian consumers.

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen de la Vega emphasized the importance of the second mango shipment under the strategic partnership forged in September 2023 between the two countries.

"The Philippines and Australia share a strong commitment to fostering trade ties, and the arrival of our mangoes signifies a delightful milestone in our partnership, especially as we celebrate Filipino Food Month in April," she said.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney (PTIC-Sydney), an agency under the DTI, spearheads the effort to broaden the market for high-quality Philippine agricultural goods, specifically mangoes. Through strategic measures like trade expos and consultations, PTIC-Sydney is actively striving to boost the global presence of Philippine products.

"With the DTI spearheading efforts and the unwavering dedication of all involved parties, the future of Philippine mango exports to Australia looks brighter than ever, promising mutual prosperity for both nations," the DTI said.