Pummelo grading in Philippines misaligned with global standards – DA study

MANILA, Philippines — The grading and classification system used by pummelo growers and traders in the country’s top pummelo producing province is only partially aligned with international and regional standards, potentially limiting the fruit’s competitiveness in export markets.

This is according to a new evaluation by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), which found that the country’s standards for fresh pummelo remain largely outdated and differ significantly from both the Codex Standard for Pummelo and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) standard.

The study showed that it has a harmonization rate of only 19 percent with each of the two benchmarks.

Researchers assessed local growers’ and traders’ practices for the Magallanes variety, which dominates Davao’s commercial production.

Davao City is the country’s top producer of the citrus fruit, with production reaching nearly 12,988 metric tons in 2022.

BAFS said while growers generally met most appearance-based minimum requirements such as cleanliness, freedom from pests and absence of bruising, the study noted gaps in areas involving firmness and susceptibility to damage from low temperatures.

These factors, it said, affect the fruit’s postharvest quality and shelf life.

The study also found inconsistencies in maturity assessment, with only one respondent adopting the internationally recognized minimum sweetness level.

Additionally, none specified the required extent of surface color change.

Instead, growers relied on days after flowering, a parameter not included in the Codex or ASEAN guidelines.

One of the biggest deviations was also observed in fruit classification, said BAFS.

Codex and ASEAN standards define three classes based on defect tolerances and varietal characteristics: extra class, class I and class II.

In contrast, local growers use class A, B, and C, but with defect limits that do not match international criteria.

In some cases, respondents allowed surface defects covering up to 30 percent of the fruit, exceeding the 15 percent ceiling set by both standards.

Although growers and traders used weight ranges that generally fell within Codex and ASEAN brackets, they relied on informal size codes like “peewee,” “small,” and “OS” rather than the standardized numbering system.

The study noted this practice creates inconsistencies that can complicate trade, especially for bulk buyers.

Labeling deficiencies were also observed, with most respondents failing to include lot identification, storage instructions, or full commercial details on non-retail containers.

Overall, the DA-BAFS study recommended revising the country’s national standards to align with global requirements.

The recommended changes include adopting the Codex and ASEAN classification categories, establishing tolerance limits, enforcing labeling rules, and strengthening packaging protocols.

“Bridging these gaps will strengthen compliance with international requirements and enhance product quality, competitiveness and market access for Filipino farmers,” the study concluded.