The Department of Agriculture (DA) has mandated that all imported onions must enter the Philippines by February 20. This measure aims to prevent competition with local produce, amid criticism from farmers.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa stated that onion importation is necessary to stabilize retail prices, which have reached $3.57 per kilogram. "Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. wants the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to ensure there will be no extension on the arrival date until February 20, again this is to protect our farmers," De Mesa said.
To address the rising retail prices, Tiu Laurel approved the importation of 3,000 metric tons of onions and 1,000 metric tons of white onions. De Mesa highlighted that this volume is small compared to the monthly consumption of 17,000 metric tons. "This will only be good for one week. The bulk of the harvest is in March, so the imported onions will not reach the peak harvest. This is just to ensure that we will have no shortage," De Mesa added.
The decision follows the 2022 onion crisis when retail prices soared to $12.85 per kilogram due to shortages and hoarding. Farmers' groups have criticized the timing, as the harvest season is underway, expected to peak in March and April. Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor described the move as ill-timed, noting the ongoing harvest in key areas like Bayambang, San Jose, Bongabon, and Laur.
Onion farmers have expressed concerns, describing the import decision as a "double whammy," especially as plantations in Nueva Ecija face armyworm infestations. Victor Danipog, a farmer, noted the losses from recent storms and the infestation.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) revealed that the BPI did not account for onion stocks in cold storage when reporting a 7,000 metric ton deficit. SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet questioned the BPI's data during a stakeholder meeting on January 30.
Cainglet noted that some farmers harvested early due to the BPI's announcement. "We are just echoing the sentiments of the farmers that the farmgate price of onions will go down because of the announcement of BPI on the impending importation," he said. As of February 7, local red onions were priced at $3.08 per kilo, while local white onions were $2.11 per kilo. Imported white onions were $2.19 per kilo.
Source: PhilStar