Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the retail prices of onions in the Philippines are expected to decrease significantly to as low as PHP80 per kilogram, with the arrival of imported onions from China.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa stated that the influx of imported red and white onions would help reduce the current retail prices, which are approximately PHP160 per kilogram in Metro Manila. De Mesa expressed optimism about the price reduction, saying, “PHP80 to PHP100, masaya tayo diyan, compared doon sa nakikita nating PHP180 to PHP200. So, makita natin na these prices talaga, okay.” He further mentioned that consumers might start noticing the price decline in the next two weeks.

As of February 20, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported that 459.10 metric tons (MT) of the 3,002 MT imported red onions and 200 MT of the 1,014 MT white onions have already arrived. De Mesa noted that delays in the shipments were due to the Chinese New Year and other holidays in China, the primary source of these imports. Currently, a limited quantity of imported red onions is available at PHP90 per kilogram at Mega Q-Mart, whereas local red onions range from PHP140 to PHP240 per kilogram, and white onions from PHP90 to PHP150 per kilogram in Metro Manila as of February 24, according to the DA Bantay Presyo.

De Mesa also addressed concerns about potential hoarding, asserting that most cold storage facilities appear to have minimal or no stocks. This statement follows Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s directive for the BPI to inspect cold storage facilities nationwide to prevent withholding onion supplies to manipulate prices. “Base sa report ng BPI, karamihan walang stock. May stock man, kakaunti,” De Mesa said, emphasizing that traders should not exploit farmers during the peak harvest season.

Initial inspections have been conducted across various regions, including Metro Manila, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Central Visayas. The current stock inventory of red onions in the country is only 500 MT, with approximately 30 MT from local harvests. De Mesa noted the low February harvest and anticipates a more substantial harvest between March and April, with an expected 9,700 MT volume since January.

Looking ahead, the DA expects a local harvest of 145,000 MT for red onions and 35,000 MT for yellow onions during the peak harvest season until April.