The acceptance of a cheaper disinfection system against fruitfly will allow mango producers to cut down on export costs to China by at least P20 per kilo, the Department of Agriculture said in a press release.

The system, called the Extended Hot Water Treatment, has been developed by the Bureau of Plant Industry and the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

This is a big step towards gaining direct market access for Philippine tropical fruits into China 's highly lucrative $1-billion fruit market, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

China 's approval of the Philippines ' EHWT technology signifies its acceptance of the DA's sanitary and phytosanitary measures for disinfection against fruit fly in mangoes.

DA records show Philippine mango exports to China in 2007 was only 634.33 metric tons which is expected to rise significantly starting this year as a result of Beijing 's approval of the EWHT technology, the press release said.

The BPI also initiated last year mango pest surveys in Davao del Sur and in 36 mango-producing provinces of Luzon, funded by Australia and the United States, respectively, which all yielded favorable outcomes.

The survey showed Davao to be free of the mango pulp and seed weevil. The Philippines will soon export mangoes to Australia from Davao and other areas outside Guimaras province, Yap said.

In 2007, Philippines exported 3,552 MTs of mangoes to Japan .

Top mango-producing provinces are Pangasinan, accounting for 39.5 percent of annual production, and Batangas, 6.3 percent. Luzon produces 68.8 percent of the Philippines' fresh mangoes, Mindanao, 19.5 percent, and Visayas, 11.7 percent, the press release added.*

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