Volume 7, Issue No. 55
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@aol.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . .
Our latest as of Friday, June 26, 2026
~ Over the years since Guinness World Records adjudged the Philippine mango "the world's sweetest mango" in 1995, it practically defined the boundaries of what sets it apart from other varieties, leading to a steep price that is now its bane and boon. Pricey no doubt it is, and that may not work well in Canada which imports mangoes from other countries, notably in Latin America.
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PRICEY PHILIPPINE MANGOES IN CANADA
To Buy, or Not to Buy,
That Is the Question
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
"When enough people believe that prices will keep rising forever, a bubble starts." — Naved Abdali
TORONTO - To buy, or not to buy, that is the question. (Apologies to Shakespeare for paraphrasing a line in Hamlet, which reads "To be, or not to be, that is the question").
A lot of Filipinos in Canada are faced with this conundrum with the recent arrival of Carabao mangoes from the Philippines, inaugurating a new trade outlet for a favourite nourishment.
The country's national fruit, according to Guinness World Records, is "the world's sweetest mango" - a testimonial that amplifies many of its characteristics, chief of which is taste.
That validates these anonymous remarks: "Mango on the tongue is happiness in the soul." There's another one: "Life is short. Eat mangoes first and regret nothing." And still another: "Mangoes are proof that the universe is capable of sweet decisions."
Nearly two months ago here in the Greater Toronto Area where the fruit is sold at Seafood City supermarket in Mississauga and Scarborough, consumers fuss over its price, necessarily inviting comparisons with mangoes coming from Mexico.
History tells us that Mexican mangoes are akin to Philippine (or Carabao) mangoes. Says Wikipedia: "The Spanish Empire (also) introduced mangoes directly from the Philippines to western Mexico via the Manila galleons from at least the 16th century."
This information means mangoes from Mexico could be the best alternative, taste-wise, size-wise, and price-wise, to satisfy cravings for the fruit coming from the homeland.
"Parang ginto" was how some Filipinos and Canadians described the costly Carabao mangoes. I personally believe the price is self-defeating, meaning, it's going to be priced out of a very lucrative market.
A Facebook post about Carabao mangoes says: "A box for $117.99 or $8.99/lb. They look so sweet and tempting, but for me, they’re a 'look first, buy later' kind of treat." The poster adds: "Maybe next time when the budget says yes! Don na lang muna ako sa ataulfo mango."
Kaye Intal of Calgary reacts: "They are a bit pricey, but hey—this price tag is mostly because of the 13,000+ km air travel from PH. From scent to flavor, this mango brings pure nostalgia to every Filipino who grew up enjoying our PH mangoes!"
I did some shopping in Chinatown this week in search of mangoes. At least two supermarkets there sell per case of 15 pieces for $22. Some stores retail at $1.99 each or $3.00 for two.
I feasted on Mexican mangoes at lunch and dinner just to taste the difference. I believe these mangoes in Chinatown compare favorably with Carabao mangoes. In fact, one could mistake one for the other in deliciousness.
"Parang ginto" may not be a pleasant comparison; it's similar to likening apples and oranges though both are fundamentally different. But for everyday Filipinos, gold (ginto in the vernacular) is an ultra-expensive commodity.
The Philippines ranks #34 in the top 50 countries with huge gold reserves. The homeland is also home to what the Guinness World Records call the "the world's sweetest mango."
So, comparing the price of mango with gold is simply saying they are both unaffordable to fixed-income families. One had to sacrifice non-essentials to be able to procure either.
Gold is a luxury. At the current price, Carabao mangoes are on their way to being extravagant indulgence in Canada. As some say: "parang ginto."
Perhaps Philippine officials and business entities contracted to import and sell these Carabao mangoes should reconsider and make the fruit easy on the pocket.
Mangoes have short shelf life. Ripe mangoes spoil within a week. If Carabao mangoes that are flown in from the Philippines are not sold within that period, they're destined to be wasted, and therefore, the importer loses money. (Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved).
