Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday that the current high prices of tomatoes might stabilize by the end of January or early February.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa explained that production is expected to resume from January to February, coinciding with the start of the dry season, which should lead to normalization of prices during this period. The recent series of typhoons in 2024 caused extensive damage to crops in the solanaceous family, including tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers, affecting regions such as Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, and Bicol.

De Mesa reported a significant reduction in tomato production by 45 percent as the fourth quarter of the previous year progressed. As of January 4, tomato prices in Metro Manila ranged from PHP200 to PHP350 per kilogram, a sharp increase from the PHP40 to PHP100 per kilogram range observed during the same period last year, as noted by the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch).

In addition to tomato price concerns, the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operations Center reported agricultural damage amounting to approximately PHP14.22 million. This damage, attributed to the combined effects of the shear line, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), and northeast monsoon, impacted various sectors including rice, livestock and poultry, high-value crops, corn, and infrastructure, affecting 1,379 farmers.

The rice sector suffered the most with damages worth around PHP10.1 million, followed by losses in livestock and poultry valued at PHP3.37 million, high-value crops at PHP611,500, corn at PHP58,100, and infrastructure at PHP20,000. The DA-DRRM assured that interventions are available, including the distribution of agricultural inputs, utilization of the quick response fund (QRF), a PHP25,000 loanable amount with zero interest payable over three years, and an indemnification fund.