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Challenges and Issues
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The fruit crops industry plays an
important role in Philippine
agriculture. It contributes significantly to
employment, food security, income, and
foreign exchange generation through
various production, processing, and
marketing activities.
Banana
Among the fruit crops in the country,
banana dominates the industry in terms of
hectarage and production. Also, it is a
consistent top dollar earner of the country.
On a world basis, the Philippines ranks fifth
among the banana-producing countries in
1998. The varieties popularly grown in the
country are Saba, Latundan, Bungulan, and
Cavendish. The latter is cultivated mainly
for export.
Since 1990, banana production has been
increasing. Key destinations of export for
fresh banana are Japan and China, and for
banana chips , United States of America
(USA), Japan, and European countries.
However, even with these opportunities,
the industry is also beset with many
problems.
Mango
Mango is the third leading fruit crop
export next to banana and pineapple. The
Philippines is the world’s fifth largest
producer of mango in 1998. The only variety
cultivated for export is Carabao. Major
export markets for fresh fruits are Japan
and Hongkong, and for processed products,
USA and Hongkong.
Banana and Mango ......................................................................................................................................... 29