Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said the slight uptick in vegetable prices may be tamed in a month's time. The price adjustment is seen following heavy rains and flooding due to the effects of inclement weather on local production.
According to Philippine News Agency, in a phone interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the recovery will depend on the replanting speed in affected areas. 'Siguro mga (Perhaps around) three weeks to one month iyan, mag-start tayo na makikita ng (we can start seeing) recovery,' he told the Philippine News Agency, citing timelines for both production and market retail prices.
About a 10 percent to 15 percent uptick in prices of ingredients of the vegetable dish "pinakbet" as well as some lowland and upland vegetables have been monitored in local markets, according to the DA. 'May mga paggalaw na, halimbawa, 'yung sa talong tumataas ng PHP20 hanggang PHP50 kada kilo. Ganun din 'yung ibang gulay, for both lowland and upland ito (There's a price movement already, for example, eggplant's price rose by PHP20 to PHP50 per kilogram. That's similar for other vegetables, both lowland and upland),' De Mesa said.
Of the affected areas, Central Luzon and Calabarzon were the most affected regions for losses in high-value crops, with more than PHP409 million worth of combined damage in high-value crops. Central Luzon incurred the highest losses, amounting to PHP237 million, with Pampanga being the hardest-hit with losses valued at PHP128 million. Other areas with significant losses in the region are Bulacan at PHP45 million; Nueva Ecija, PHP37 million; and Bataan, PHP19 million.
For Calabarzon, the amount of high-value crop losses is at PHP172 million, with Batangas logging the highest volume loss valued at PHP71.6 million. Cavite followed with PHP44.5 million worth of losses; Rizal, PHP30 million; and Laguna, PHP25 million. De Mesa said other less damaged areas may serve as alternative sources for high-value crops while recovery is underway in affected provinces.
Source: Philippine News Agency
