THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it approved imports of 4,000 metric tons (MT) worth of onions to ensure stable prices with stocks running low.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said that the DA will permit shipments of 3,000 MT of red onions and 1,000 MT of white onions for delivery within two weeks.
He added that the imports will plug the supply gap until the domestic harvest comes in.
“We will not risk a potential shortage that traders could exploit to drive up prices, as we saw in the past. We do not want a repeat of the 2022 crisis,” Mr. Laurel said.
In 2022, onion prices surged to as much as of P700 per kilo due to a shortage of domestic supply and delayed imports.
Last year, the DA allowed white onion imports totaling 17,000 MT, after delaying imports until August due to a bumper harvest.
The DA has said that the inventory of red onions from last year was expected to last until February, when the harvest starts.
According to Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the red onion inventory was 2,325.86 MT, with white onion stocks at 70,161 MT as of Jan. 31.
Monthly consumption of red onions was estimated at 17,000 MT and white onions 4,000 MT, the BPI said.
“While we were assured during our consultative meetings that there is still ample supply of onions, the BPI recommended minimal imports to prevent major price spikes,” BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban said.
“Also, due to the typhoons that hit late last year and prevalence of pests and disease, these imports are meant to be a buffer for possible supply gaps. This move is a preemptive measure,” Mr. Panganiban added.
He said that the agency is projecting the onion harvest to reach 33,000 MT by March.
In 2024, onion production rose 4.7% to 264,322 MT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Adrian H. Halili