Isabela farmer discards 3,000 kilos of mangoes

A farmer in San Mateo, Isabela opted to dispose of around 3,000 kilograms of ripe mangoes due to a supply surplus, according to a report by EJ Gomez on Monday's Saksi.

Frederick Cayaban said he lost at least P84,000 from the discarded mangoes. The fresh produce was part of a 15,000 kilos of the fruit they delivered to Metro Manila.

“Pagdating sa Metro Manila masyadong mahaba po ang pila dahil marami na po ang supply sa planta,” Cayaban said.

(When they arrived in Metro Manila, the line was too long since there was a lot of supply in the plant.)

“Inabutan po siya ng hinog doon kasi nakulog po, closed van po kasi ang pinagkargaan namin kaya nahinog na rin,” he said.

(The mangoes ripened quickly since they were transported in a closed van.)

Mango prices in San Mateo dropped to just P5 to P7 per kilo from the P55 per kilo in March, said Cayaban.

However,  prices in Metro Manila stood at P30 to P95 per kilo.

“Not necessarily oversupply, pero ito yung panahon na peak ng harvest,” said DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa.

(It is not necessarily oversupply but we’re at the peak season.)

“’Yung nangyari sa San Mateo, Isabela, parang kamatis yan. Yung kamatis na tinatapon normally, 'yun yung mga pang-huling stages na marami na silang harvest. Ganun din 'yung mangga. Everyday, almost nagha-harvest,” de Mesa added.

(What happened in San Mateo is similar to the tomato problem. Most of the discarded tomatoes had already ripened and there was too much. The same with mangoes since harvest is being done everyday.)

Cayaban said he coordinated with the DA and he was able to sell 800 kilos of mangoes for Kadiwa stores.
—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News