A value chain study is now being carried out to beef up the the country's calamanai output and export to countries such as Hongkong, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
A statement showed that Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has supported Bureau of Agricultural Research's (BAR) piloting of the research project in Oriental Mindoro.
"There are gaps and constraints in the calamansi industry that limit its potential to increase income and generate the much-needed employment for the calamansi-growing communities in Oriental Mindoro," according to SEARCA.
"The project will strengthen capacities of calamansi stakeholders on the improved production and postharvest handling practices, calamansi processing, and entrepreneurship," it added.
The value chain concept involves creating more "value" from activities that have been identified to make calamansi growing more profitable.
For instance, activities that increase farm sales are hiring sales agents to market a product or training farm experts on pest management practices in order to increase harvest.
Value chain studies enhance a business's competitiveness and was introduced by economist Michael Porter in his "Competitive Advantage (1985)".
The country's calamansi export ranged from 20 to 35 metric tons (MT) in 2008 with an average yearly export of 29.5 MT in fresh fruits.
A value chain advantage may be found in turning fresh fruits into value added processed goods (bottled juice, puree).
In 2013, A total of 144 MT of calamansi juice and concentrate was exported to Hongkong, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.