The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that imports of red and white onions, as well as carrots, are being allowed to help stabilize retail prices in local markets. Speaking at the 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that the country has already started importing red and white onions.
"We noticed that the price of red onion went up two weeks ago to PHP140 to PHP160 (US$2.40–US$2.75) per kg, which is too much," he said.
Imports of red onions were allowed earlier than the initial target of October 15. "I have a feeling that the remaining local stocks are being withheld a bit to maximize prices. That's why we ordered import arrivals starting last week," Tiu Laurel said.
The import volume for red onions is estimated at 3,000 to 5,000 metric tons, with arrivals expected only until one month before the local harvest in February. Importation of white onions began earlier. "Since last month, we've been importing white onions, so prices have already dropped to around PHP100 to PHP120 (US$1.75–US$2.05) per kg, compared to PHP160 (US$2.75) previously," Tiu Laurel explained.
In addition to onions, the DA also announced carrot imports beginning October 1. "For now, it's limited to a few hundred tons just to see the situation, since carrot prices also went up," Tiu Laurel said.
The DA is considering sourcing carrots from China, the Netherlands, and Cambodia. According to DA-Bantay Presyo, the prevailing retail price of local carrots in Metro Manila as of Wednesday stood at PHP257.58 (US$4.42) per kg.
Source: PNA