Manila, Sept. 21 -- The Philippines has sent its first commercial shipment of fresh Carabao mangoes to Canada, with one metric ton of the prized fruit arriving in Vancouver as the country seeks to expand its agricultural exports and open new markets for Filipino growers.

In a news release Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the shipment marks a new market opportunity for Philippine mango producers, as the government works to strengthen the industry's ability to consistently supply foreign buyers and meet export requirements.

"Opening new markets means opening new opportunities for our farmers. When we can sell more Philippine agricultural products abroad, we create opportunities to increase farm incomes, encourag...