The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines has called on onion farmers and traders to take their initial harvests straight to local markets, bypassing cold storage facilities. This directive, announced by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., aims to curb the rising retail prices of onions as the country anticipates the peak harvest season and the arrival of imported onions.
Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of this strategy during a media interview, urging, ‘We call on our onion farmers and traders during this harvest season to bring the initial harvest directly to the market and not to storage.’ He suggested that cold storage could be utilized once the peak harvest period, expected from late March to April, is closer.
To address a supply shortfall, the DA had previously authorized the importation of 4,000 metric tons of red and white onions for February. However, only 3,000 metric tons were booked by importers, who are cautious due to the approaching local harvest season.
Tiu Laurel set a target ceiling for onion prices at PHP200 per kilogram, expressing hope that the arrival of imported onions would help reduce prices to between PHP120 and PHP140 per kilogram. Current prices in Metro Manila for local red onions range from PHP120 to PHP250 per kilogram, while white onions are priced between PHP120 and PHP140 per kilogram.
The call to action comes after the country experienced a record-high onion price of PHP720 per kilogram in 2022, highlighting the urgency of stabilizing the market.