Home-grown mangoes from Cirebon regency, West Java, have penetrated the overseas market and potential exports could be huge.
Two mango varieties from Cirebon, Gedong Gincu and Harum Manis, have entered the export market.
"Both varieties are sought after by the overseas market," Ali Effendi, Cirebon Regency Agriculture, Plantation, Forestry and Livestock Office head, said recently.
The main destinations are Singapore, Hong Kong and several Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
"Demand also comes from Japan and the United States and various European countries, but due to limited production we are unable to meet the demand.
"The annual production volume of Gedong Gincu and Harum Manis mangoes are only 40,000 tons and 20,000 tons respectively, so we cannot meet export demand which can reach 200,000 tons annually," Ali said.
To be able to do so, the Cirebon regency administration plans to boost production by extending the area for mango farms, which currently only covers 2,300 hectares in Cirebon regency. "We will increase the area in stages, up to 10,000 hectares within the next five years," he said.
The huge export market can help increase the earnings of fruit farmers in Cirebon as farmers can reap higher profits from the much higher export price of their mangoes.
The current price of Gedong Gincu and Harum Manis mangoes are Rp 12,000 (about US$1.20) and between Rp 8,000 and Rp 10,000 per kilogram respectively, but the price of both varieties for the export market could increase by more than 100 percent. "This is a very good opportunity for farmers to boost their earnings," Ali said.
His office will work together with the Japanese government to boost mango production, including improving the quality of mango seedling and fruit quality.
One of the drawbacks mango farmers in Cirebon encounter is fruit pests, their attacks the main obstacle to producing high-quality fruit.
"If we can overcome that problem, the export market for mangoes from Cirebon will be wide open, including to Japan, the United States and European countries, which are known to have tight regulations," he said.
