The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines is advising farm goods importers to consider sourcing ginger from Indonesia or Vietnam as an alternative to the costly imports from China. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. highlighted the need for cheaper sources to meet the industry's demand. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has forecasted a need for 13,725 metric tons of ginger imports this year, with a significant portion traditionally sourced from China. However, due to the high prices driven by the off-season in China, the DA is looking towards Indonesia and Vietnam as viable alternatives.
As of early October, the retail price of ginger in Metro Manila was observed to range from P140 to P300 per kilogram. The BPI has already issued Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSICs) for 50 metric tons of ginger from both Vietnam and Indonesia, indicating a move to diversify import sources. Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel V. de Mesa emphasized the strategic importance of this diversification, noting that it would mitigate the impact of price fluctuations from China and ensure a steady supply for the domestic market, especially for the herbal tea industry.
Source: BusinessWorld