Product Flow and Challenges in the Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Industry in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

The high demand for Davao pomelo and its suitability to the local climate in the Philippines have given rise to expansion potentials and provided possibilities in curbing poverty levels in the agricultural sector of the region. In order to design intervention projects and policies, the present study investigated the pomelo industry in Northern Mindanao covering specifically the product flow and challenges in the industry. The study area was four provinces of Northern Mindanao, namely Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental. The data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire with 22 respondents composed of 9 pomelo producers and 13 traders. The majority of the pomelo products that were sold in the markets in Northern Mindanao come from outside the region, such as Davao and Cotabato provinces, while pomelo produced in the region were sold outside the region. Among the three marketing chains of pomelo, the producer to consumer is considered the most efficient chain based on the estimated losses. Challenges in the pomelo industry include the lack of technical knowledge among the producers, poor quality of the pomelo, high buying price, and information asymmetry. Improvement in the industry could be enhanced by addressing the challenges identified.