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Sunday, November 27, 2005
Kidapawan's mangosteen breaks into US market
THE announcement was made with bravado by Department of Trade and Industry-Cotabato Provincial Director Anthony P. Bravo upon his return from the "North Cotabato Fair and Fruit Festival" at SM Megatrade Hall 3 in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
It has all the reason to be able to break into this restrictions-ridden market too, as the Nutri-Prime Farms, owned by Dr. Alfredo S. Villarico is now processing the mangosteen fruit into jam, tea, and powder in capsule.
The queen of fruits does deserve said diverse products.
The company participated in Los Angeles Expo in California, USA during the last week of August and at the same time made the maiden shipment of mangosteen tea and capsules with Mark Dela and Eric Johnson representing the partner company in marketing the products in the US.
Nutri-Prime Farms is a major producer of fresh mangosteen fruits and true to any agricultural product, price decreases considerably during peak harvest season.
This, coupled with the apparently increasing demand, convinced Villarico to venture into processing.
The products are partially processed in Kidapawan City and transported to Metro Manila for toll-processing and packaging prior to its shipment to the United States.
Presently, the processed products are not available in the local market.
Production is exclusively for the export market.
Mangosteen is gaining wide acceptance not only in its fresh form but especially in its processed form.
Recent research studies revealed that the rind contains the active therapeutic compound named xanthones that is believed to have antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-tumor, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Awareness of these somehow influenced the growing demand for the products.
Continuous project development activities were extended by DTI-Cotabato Provincial Office until it reached this stage in cooperation with the office of the Congressman Gregorio T. Ipong. Around P1-million with seven employment opportunities were generated with its establishment. (Robert Ofrecio)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (November 27, 2005 issue)
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