The Philippines is set to import 16,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow onions to ensure a sufficient supply for the upcoming holiday season, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
In an interview on Wednesday, Tiu Laurel confirmed he has approved the memorandum for the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) for the importation of fresh yellow onions. “I approved last Monday the importation of white or yellow onions because, based on our estimates, the stocks are already depleted,” he said.
Ensuring Sufficient Supply
The country will be importing 16,000 MT of yellow onions to address the supply deficit for the remainder of the year. This volume is based on the country’s monthly per capita consumption and is intended to serve as a buffer to stabilize prices in the market.
“This is just a limited quantity of white onions that we will import to stabilize prices,” Tiu Laurel added.
The memorandum noted that the current supply of yellow onions, estimated at 3,296.50 MT, is only expected to last until August 25, 2024. The first batch of imported yellow onions is expected to arrive by the end of this week or early next week.
Import Timing and Local Production
Tiu Laurel emphasized that the imported onions should arrive no later than December this year to avoid overlapping with the local harvest season, which begins in January 2025. The timing is crucial to prevent market disruption and support local farmers.
The memorandum also highlighted that with the upcoming holiday season, demand for yellow onions is expected to increase, which could potentially lead to a spike in market prices.
Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel assured that the supply of locally produced red onions is sufficient until March of next year.
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