Sweet taste of home: Philippine mangoes now sold in Italy
Ambassador Nathaniel Imperial and Agricultural Attachè Josyline Javelosa with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Italy (PCCI) President Dennis Carrascoso and members, CNA (Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della piccola e media impresa) representative Indra Perera with Oscar Calolot Jr. the owner of Pinoy Saver's Mart. Photo by Boyet Abucay
The world-renowned sweet Philippine mangoes has officially reached Rome, Italy!
With the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Italy (PCCI) and the Philippine Embassy in Rome — led by H.E. Ambassador Nathaniel Imperial and Agricultural Attaché Josyline Javelosa, the first commercial export of Philippine mangoes to Italy has landed and is now being sold in Filipino stores in the city.
On Monday, June 2, PCCI officials and members, together with Ambassador Imperial and Agricultural Attaché Javelosa, celebrated this milestone at Pinoy Saver's Mart Battistini, one of the official distributors of Philippine mangoes in Rome.
The historic shipment weighed nearly half a ton and marks the beginning of what stakeholders hope will be a long-term presence of Filipino agricultural products in Europe.
Ambassador Imperial said, 'This is only the beginning of a broad effort to lessen our country's wide trade deficit with Italy. We aim to export more fresh agricultural produce and processed foods to Italy where there is a growing market for Philippine-sourced food products.'
Representatives from Artigiani Imprenditori d'Italia (CNA) joined the event and expressed support for stronger agricultural trade ties between the Philippines and Italy.
Dennis Carrascoso, chairman of PCCI Italy and the key figure behind the initiative, shared the group's vision of promoting Filipino products not just in Italy, but across Europe.
'This project is the fruit of teamwork. With the financial support coordinated by Benford Fortuna of Sarap Restaurant and the documentation handled by Jocelyn Tupino of Pacific Cargo, we were able to turn this dream into reality,' Carrascoso said.
He added, 'On behalf of PCCI, we are truly grateful to the Philippine Embassy and to all our fellow Filipinos who supported — and continue to support — this initiative. This is just the beginning.'
This achievement is more than just a successful shipment — it is a proud symbol of the Philippines' agricultural excellence. It also opens doors for more opportunities for Filipino farmers, exporters, and entrepreneurs to compete in the global market.
The good news? More stores in Rome are now offering Philippine mangoes, including Mancini on the Go and Sarap Restaurant.
For Filipino farmers and agribusinesses back home, this is a clear message: our harvests are world-class, and the world is ready for more. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
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