DA plans to extend ban on onion imports until July
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to extend the ban on onion imports amid the prevailing low market prices.
After conducting thorough daily monitoring, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said there is no urgency to allow the importation of any onion products into the Philippines until July.
“Cold storage in onion-producing areas is already full now, and the market prices are low, so there’s no reason to import,” Tiu Laurel said on Monday, May 20.
"Right now, onion prices are fair. In Balintawak, red onions are selling for P60 to P70, and white onions for P60. When I started at the DA, prices were much higher at P140 or P120. Thankfully, prices have stabilized now," he added.
The DA chief added that he also monitors the prices of other food intems in wet markets nationwide to determine any spikes or unnatural price drops.
“I monitor them personally in case of any spike in prices which would either mean lack of supply or unscrupulous trader, then we will active importation if needed.”
Condemning any imported products
When asked if there have been reports on illegal imports of commodities, Laurel said that all products have gone through the necessary condemnation efforts and are watched by the enforcement unit.
According to the agriculture chief, it is better that the DA condemns any illegal products caught by the pier, which have either been contraband or infested. This is an action to minimize any illicit trading.
Meanwhile, the agriculture sector has been test-selling P29 onions to study cost naming, marketing, and distribution for their project which is said to be released in July.
“We started selling last week, but the problem is, it’s easily sold out. Of course, when people know about the cheaper options, they flock to buy. Right now we’re identifying our practical limits; like how we’re many we’re going to sell or distribute. This is all in its testing phase,” Laurel said.
The testing period for selling the P29 onions is sold in selected outlets only, as the DA chief said, “After a month or two if we don’t see any issues and operational challenges, hopefully, we can increase our product and help the less fortunate to buy.”