The Philippines has a sufficient supply of red onions, with an inventory of nearly 45,000 metric tons (MT) as of the end of November, ensuring availability until mid-February next year. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported that as of November 29, the stockpile of fresh red onions and shallots stood at 44,506.11 MT, projected to meet domestic demand for 76 days, up to February 13, 2025. This year, all red onion supplies were sourced from local production due to a bumper harvest, negating the need for imports. Consequently, retail prices in Metro Manila have remained stable, with red onions priced between P70 and P150 ($1.33 and $2.86) per kilo. The largest stock quantities were recorded in the National Capital Region and Central Luzon, with 21,221.17 MT and 18,858.24 MT, respectively.
In contrast, the country's yellow onion inventory, entirely reliant on imports, was reported at 1,854.57 MT, sufficient for the immediate term. To address a potential shortage, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. sanctioned the importation of an additional 1,000 MT of yellow onions, on top of the 16,000 MT approved earlier in the year, aiming to stabilize supplies until year-end. Tiu Laurel emphasized that the additional imports should arrive by December 30 to adequately supplement domestic stocks. As of November 21, around 12,320 MT of yellow onions have been imported, with retail prices in Metro Manila ranging from P70 to P160 ($1.33 to $3.05) per kilo.
Source: philstar Global