Mindoro: At least eight institutional buyers have expressed interest in sourcing red onions directly from Mindoro following a virtual market matching conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on March 31.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative, led by the DA's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and its Mimaropa Region counterpart, revealed a potential monthly demand ranging from 5 to 16 metric tons (MT), providing local farmers a direct gateway to the institutional market. Prominent buyers who participated included Walter Mart Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Nutri-Asia, Vikings Group, Blue McKay Food Manufacturing, Agro-Digital PH, Bernabe Market, and the New Las Pi±as Market.
Lawyer Christopher Ba±as, DA-Mimaropa regional executive director, assured farmers of the agency's continued guidance to ensure these initial expressions of interest translate into successful transactions. "Our role does not end with linking farmers to the market. Our agency ensures sustained guidance to cooperatives and associations so that agreements are fulfilled and each transaction becomes successful, for the real benefit of our farmers," Ba±as said.
One of the key agreements reached during the session was to empower farmer cooperatives and associations to set their own farmgate and delivery prices to ensure fair earnings. To further reduce operational costs, the DA plans to utilize Kadiwa trucks for deliveries to major markets in Cavite and the National Capital Region. The New Las Pi±as Market also committed to providing priority selling space for Mindoro's produce.
Beyond onions, several buyers expressed interest in other regional commodities such as garlic, bell pepper, ginger, and calamansi. DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Mimaropa Market Specialist III Rustom Gonzaga emphasized that the goal is to build long-term, profitable partnerships rather than just addressing current supply needs.
Participating groups from Mindoro included the Municipal Agriculture Offices of Magsaysay, Sablayan, Paluan, and Bulalacao, alongside various cooperatives such as the Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Occidental Mindoro Onion Industry Council. The DA clarified that while the 16 MT monthly demand is a significant milestone, specific details on pricing, final volumes, and delivery schedules are currently being finalized between the farmers and the buyers.
