The Department of Agriculture (DA) has indicated that the recent adverse weather conditions have led to an increase in vegetable prices in the market. DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa noted in an interview that this surge is expected to be temporary, lasting one to two weeks, as alternative sources from Mindanao are being considered. "If there are storms, normally around 10 to 15 percent increase in the price of vegetables may be experienced depending on the areas affected," de Mesa stated.
To mitigate the impact on prices, the DA plans to deploy Kadiwa rolling stores in the typhoon and storm-hit regions. Current monitoring in the National Capital Region shows a varied price range for vegetables. Lowland vegetables like ampalaya, string beans, and tomatoes have seen significant fluctuations, while highland vegetables such as different types of cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers also exhibit a wide price range.
The severe tropical storm Kristine has caused considerable damage to the agriculture sector, with an initial estimate of P5.75 billion, affecting over 131,000 farmers and fishers across more than 109,000 hectares. The majority of this damage is to rice crops, followed by high-value crops including vegetables.
Source: Business Insight