Tomato Prices Expected to Normalize by Early February, Says DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that the soaring prices of tomatoes, which have reached as high as PHP350 per kilogram in Metro Manila, are expected to stabilize by the end of January or early February. This prediction comes as the dry season begins, a period typically associated with increased agricultural production. Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa of the DA explained that the resumption of production during this time should help bring prices back to normal levels. The current high prices are a result of a significant 45% drop in tomato production last year, primarily due to a series of typhoons that devastated crops in regions like Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Bicol. In addition to tomatoes, other crops such as bell peppers and chili peppers were also affected. The DA is monitoring the situation closely, with prices currently ranging from PHP200 to PHP350 per kilogram, a sharp increase from last year’s range of PHP40 to PHP100 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported over PHP14 million in agricultural damage caused by various weather phenomena, affecting numerous farmers and sectors, with rice suffering the most significant losses. The DA is providing support through various interventions, including the distribution of agricultural inputs and financial assistance to help farmers recover.