In the Philippines, the recent price hikes for red onions was a result of an importation dependency. Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol expressed concern over the recent increase in the prices: “The ‘onion crisis,’ which saw the price of red bulb onions rise is another painful lesson that the Philippines should not depend on importation of commodities local farmers could produce.”
“The problem on being dependent on importation; if the foreign suppliers increase their prices, it will leave our government no choice because of the low on supply. This will also happen on the price of rice. If we do not amend the Rice Tariffication Law, the importers and traders will control the prices,” Piñol emphasized.
Source: mindanaotimes.com.ph