NUEVA Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal Inc. FB
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Some farmers in this province have dumped their tomato harvest due to low prices and lack of buyers.
People in Barangay Bonfal East here gathered and took home tomatoes thrown on the side of the road since they were still fresh and of good quality.
Julio Basilan, production sales and marketing officer of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT), said this situation is not new to them and has been reported to the Department of Agriculture-2.
Basilan said there was no overproduction, demand from businessmen who usually purchase produce from the province has decreased.
The harvest season in Nueva Vizcaya coincided with production in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and other areas in Central Luzon, resulting in lower market prices.
Basilan added that consumers prefer larger and slightly ripe tomatoes while most of the province’s harvest consist of smaller-sized fruits.
According to NVAT records, large tomatoes are sold at P10 to P12 per kilo while medium-sized ones range from P8 to P10 per kilo in wholesale trading.
Officials are hopeful that the Kadiwa program and coordination with non-government organization for barter trade will help reduce farmers’ losses.